Nostalgia: Want to Stay On The Mountain Top

Who Doesn't want to stay on top of the mountain? It's beautiful, The air is crystal clear, one can see for miles all around, and there is a sense of whimsy and freedom, like being on top of the world. Who wants to go back into the valley to deal with all of that mess? I know I don't. Let the mess stay down there where it belongs.

There are times in my life I look back on with extreme fondness, usually at the mountain tops in my life, and for a moment I want to be back there. I am nostalgic for the past. I feel like, in that moment everything made sense, it was perfect, crystal clear, like being on the top of a mountain. Needless to say, life doesn't hit the pause button, big events like weddings, and close friendships, even church groups, end. We have to move on, we have to grow, and go through the pits and valleys.

Every now and then reality creeps in, and I remember, that even in those highs things were not perfect. Like a picture, only what is in the frame can be seen. The shear cliffs on each side, the sharp rocks, the broken hearts are not visible. This picture was taken over 13,000 ft above sea level, next to Trail Ridge Road in Colorado. I definitely felt a sense whimsy, but I think that my lack of oxygen is what caused it. Even though the picture looks pristine it was freezing up there. My hands were so numb they hurt, and I could barley hold the camera. The rocks were everywhere and I was very light headed, so I had to be extremely careful because I could have easily tripped and gone splat. In the picture, however, none of that matters. Just like looking back, all you see is the good, that's when being snatched out of nostalgia really happens, and one remembers that God made this moment too, and we should not take it for granted.

1 Thess. 5:16-18

Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.