heaven touching earth
Not having grown up near mountains of any kind, I'm always taken aback by the beauty that surrounds me nestled here on the edge of the Smoky Mountains. Driving around the city, up and down the folded mountains that encircle it, or even just approaching it on the interstate after a road trip, the beauty often catches me off guard. Amazing anew.Legend states you can see seven states from one of the overlooks nearby. We often joke they are: California, Maine, Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, New Hamshire and Vermont. But really... there are days when you can see the mountain ranges looming on the horizon and you know you're seeing a vast span of the earth in one glance. Almost like you see the arc bending around the surface of the earth.Depending on how clear the atmosphere is, if there are clouds, and what temperature the air is (I promise it makes a difference)...the horizon is breathtaking. Rolling hills nestled in front of folded mountains with majestic peaks in the background all shrouded in clouds along the horizon line lifting into clear skies above.More often than not, even though I know and love this area and its typography, I honestly cannot tell where the mountains end and the clouds begin.Heaven touches earth and my heart swells."Pray, then, in this way:'Our Father who is in heaven,Hallowed be Your name.Your kingdom come.Your will be done,On earth as it is in heaven..." (Matthew 6:9-10)This earth will never be heaven. This is not as good as it gets, and thank the Lord because I would be so heartbroken by the heartbreak abounding. But there are moments when heaven touches earth. When we walk in the light of the kingdom of the Father. And our hearts swell with the glory and wonder of what is to come, and it overtakes us.In this advent season of celebrating heaven touching earth, my heart swells thinking of the great love of the Father sending Jesus. Kissing earth with His kingdom. Touching our hearts with His kingdom.For our youth group this year, instead of a tacky Christmas sweater party we had a classy Christmas party. It was everything lovely, lifegiving, gorgeous and joyful in one evening. A display of lavish love so they would know how delighted their Father's heart is with them. Would know His touch come near. Would know that kiss.
As my heart swelled in anticipation that afternoon, I left to run an errand only to turn a corner and be struck with that view again. Clouds kissing mountains. Heaven touching earth.This Christmas, celebrate the Lord of Heaven come near. Christ Himself kissing the earth. Emmanuel, God with us. He is with us! With us.Visit our dear friend and fellow youth leader at Cameron Coker Photography for more amazing images!