Mountain Cathedrals

“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-11

The nearby mountains stay snow covered most of the winter. Snow which accumulates on mountains is critical to water supplies here and around the world. As this snowpack slowly melts, it releases water into streams, rivers, lakes, and eventually, the ocean. Snow-covered mountains actually store the headwaters of many rivers and streams. This water storage and slow-release cycle is vital for life on the earth. The melted snow also helps replenish aquifers, or underground water tables.

The amount of water in snow varies a lot. The fluffy, powdery snow many folks like to ski on contains less water than does the wetter, heavier snow. Different types tend to melt at different rates as well. These are just a few basics about snow – there are actually high-powered scientific studies on snowpack during any given year which help predict future water supplies, river levels, flooding, forest-fire potential, etc.

On a less scientific level, I think mountains are cool places. The word cathedral means place of worship. When I get into the mountains, I like to worship God. I can’t help it – it just seems to be the most obvious and appropriate thing to do. I’m grateful God made mountains. I couldn’t imagine living without ever having the chance to experience the mystery and awe of them. I hope you have a special place not far from you where the Lord touches your heart in a special way.

Hope you have a great day.