I lift up my eyes to the hills—
from where will my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
He who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time on and for evermore.
— Psalm 121 NRSV
I have lived in the greater LA Basin for much of my life. Growing up in Lakewood, I remember how one could judge the air quality by how clearly – if at all – one could see the San Gabriel Mountains. I remember how glorious it could be to drive to church along the 405 on a Sunday morning after a rain. Sundays were best, because there were fewer cars on the road, and most of the factories were closed for the weekend. Looking out the back-seat window as we passed the Long Beach Airport, I could take in the splendor of the skyline of snow-capped peaks. It was a great way to appreciate God’s majesty and prepare to worship the Creator!
Thanks to the efforts of so many, our skies have become more clear in recent years. Still, we all have likely noticed just how sparkling the world seems in these recent days. It makes sense: with many businesses shuttered, and orders to stay at home, we have no place to go. So we are pumping out less pollution. Perhaps, also, we notice more because we have the time to appreciate the world around us.
When you are feeling frustrated, afraid, angry, helpless… or any others of these “big emotions” which can overwhelm us, take a moment to step outside and look to the North. Lift your eyes to the hills as a reminder of God’s creativity and strength. Rely on that power. And know that God’s creative imagination is at work in the many who are seeking cures and spread prevention for that which afflicts us. Know that people are drawing on that power to bring aid and comfort to others. Know that God is at work in you.
We look to the mountains, O God, from whence comes our strength. We look to you, our Rock and our Redeemer, for your tender love and guidance. We look to you, Wind that blows the impurities away, to give us a fresh indwelling of your Spirit. Amen.