The Music of the Mountain

Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You return man to dust and say, “Return, O children of man!” For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night. You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning: in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers. For we are brought to an end by your anger; by your wrath we are dismayed. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh. The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you? So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:1-12 ESV). As some of you may know, our long standing vacation spot is Gatlinburg, Tennessee. There are so many memories to draw on from the time we have spent there. Mary and I do our best to go at least three or four times a year since we live so close now. I always enjoy the pace that is so welcome when we go. One particular tradition we follow is the drive through Cade’s Cove. When the boys were little they were not as interested in the scenery as we were and always wanted to have the radio playing. My response was to roll the windows down and instruct them to listen to the “music of the mountains.” It was my way of saying we’re here to slow down and enjoy the quiet. I still roll the windows down for myself to listen to the music of the mountains! Our world is hooked on speed. Even in Gatlinburg you’ll see the evidence of “fast-everything.” A sign will advertise: "Drive through wedding-$69." Some signs advertised "mountain chapel" weddings for $300-400. But a drive-through hitch up could be had for under $70. I suppose that’s just their way of "thinking outside the box" in terms of attracting those who are not happy with the institutional church. So we can compliment their motive if not the exact method. It certainly is a great saving over the thousands that a traditional wedding would cost! Think back to my opening illustration and the Great Smoky Mountains that surround Gatlinburg. These mountains have been around for eons. I won't get into the scientific debate, but I like the way the writer of Psalms 90 puts it, "Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. ... For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past." This is not so much about a thousand years passing in a flash, as saying the years build up in God's time to where a thousand years seem like only a day. Perhaps this clash of cultures, the culture of "instant everything," with things that can't or shouldn't be rushed, has brought you to the place where you are frustrated beyond control. Hooked on phones in our pocketbooks, instant messaging on the computer, drive-through hamburgers and next-day packages, when traffic jams up, we're out of control. When a slow driver in the fast lane jams up the freeway, we're hotter than a pistol! If you have fast-forwarded your life to the point where traffic always makes you boil and waiting for a return text feels like waiting for the Pony Express, take a long, slow breath. Ask yourself, what is my rush? Slow down and make the most of your time by listening to the music of the mountains!