I was topping the hill just west of Howell, Kansas, Saturday night when the setting sun took my breath away. It seemed the world was on fire. I pulled into the historic Santa Fe Trail site and stood in awe. This site was a place I have only stood two, maybe three or four times, but have passed in my rush too many times to count.
On this evening, however, I couldn’t overcome the urge to stop. I was rewarded with a trail to myself. To stand in the calm until the stresses of life began to melt away. The orange balm of the light covered me.. I couldn’t help but think how much the area had changed since the thousands of frontier people had passed on the trail. What would they think of the large grain elevators on the horizon? The train tracks, paved highway, electric poles, the steady stream of headlights speeding to who knows where? Yes, so much has changed since those days but many things remain the same. The wind. A constant in this tough prairie country. The waves of grass rustling in the breeze and the hum of insects and chirps of birds would all be similar. The beauty of the view. But did they find it beautiful as they made the difficult journey west? What about the burning orange ball of fire setting in the west? Did they ever stop to take it in or were they like us? Were they so preoccupied with their day to day push that they took it for-granted like we often do?
Its easy to give in to the the daily rush, sometimes necessary, sometimes not. But somedays we get a little divine reminder to slow down and maybe stop. If even for a minute. A small chance to re-center ourselves and remember the world is bigger than us. Today, yesterday and in the days yet to come. To gain insight and the energy to carry on.
Take time to slow down and stop when you feel that still, small voice.
