Summer can be such a happy time to break from the routines of life and enjoy the beauty of creation. A few years ago, my wife and I went up to the Mountains in the Mid-Hudson Valley in New York to hike in a beautiful place called Mohonk. It’s a mountain hike through woods and rocks that leads you to a pinnacle complete with an old stone tower. From the top of the tower you have a spectacular view of this beautiful valley and can see for miles and miles around.
As we stood there in the cool New York breeze on a bright sunny day, I snapped picture after picture, trying to capture all the majesty of that moment. From our vantage point, you could see the full beauty of the resort beneath us, and while we were only guests hiking for the day, we felt a sense of ownership and belonging. We saw hawks making lazy circles, as if playing a game of tag. We saw plenty of squirrels and chipmunks scurrying through the forest. In the distance, we watched the tiny horse-drawn carriage rides far below us, across the lake. We saw people in canoes, some who were fishing, and even a few who were bundled up on the rocks, taking advantage of the sun.
Reflecting on a wonderful day, I couldn’t help but remember the words of the Psalmist in Psalm 24: “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob.”
Summer is a great time to ascend a holy hill and praise Jesus. He has cleansed each of us through the washing of regeneration and new birth in Holy Baptism. He has claimed us and given us a beautiful creation that declares His glory. We see His touch even in the little things around us, like a flower growing out of a rock, which, by the way, was gorgeous. God has given us a tremendous gift in nature. So take some time and schedule a getaway, even if only for an afternoon, and enjoy the splendor of His creation. Not only does it bless us physically, but also spiritually as we open the eyes of our hearts to see the fullness of the Lord all around us. May this be a summer of refreshment, discovery, and renewal as we exercise our bodies and our faith in Jesus!
Rev. Dr. Gregory Walton
Rev. Dr. Gregory Walton’s passion has always been helping church workers find joy in ministry and encouraging laity to provide intentional, ongoing care to church workers, which is a key to healthier, stronger ministries. Before his work at LCEF, Greg served for over 22 years in Georgia congregations (both mission and a larger congregation with a school). He also served in a variety of roles in his district, including Circuit Visitor, on the Board of Directors, and on the LCEF Finance Committee. Rev. Dr. Walton served as the district president for the Florida-Georgia District, LCMS, for 13 years. Following his term as district president, he joined Grace Place Wellness, part of LCEF, in September 2022. Greg and his wife of over 40 years, Edith, reside in the Atlanta area, close to their two married sons and six grandchildren.