Above The Noise

Joy Revie

Ian and I have recently completed walking the West Highland Way - 96 miles through everchanging landscape.

From paths beside tranquil lochs, to thundering waterfalls; from dense forests, to bleak isolated moors; and alongside imposing mountains of granite, millions of years old.

I was overwhelmed at times with the sheer beauty of creation.

Often the path seemed daunting as we looked ahead, yet perfectly manageable when we looked back! Looking down gave a very different perspective, making the climb and effort worthwhile.

The Bible has many references to mountains, about 500 in fact... often signifying God's dwelling place.
It provides us with a picture of stability and unshakable faith in our Creator, as in Psalm 121:

I lift my eyes up to the hills- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121: 1-2

Or as encouragement for us to overcome obstacles in Isaiah 54:

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, Yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed
Isaiah 54: 10

But as my eyes soaked up the beauty, it was the silence & stillness that struck me.
As we climbed higher we were walking on paths that were inaccessible by cars; paths that only walkers on this trail could experience. There was no noise of traffic or phones. I could feel worries & anxieties slipping away as the words in Psalm 46 came to mind:

Be still and know that I am God
Psalm 46: 10

And not just the words, but the urging to allow myself to be convinced of this truth.

Worry and anxiety are not our portion. They rumble away in our hearts and minds, getting louder and louder. I felt God challenged me with this.

‘Come to where the noise of the world cannot drown out the sweetness of my voice.
Take captive those thoughts that cause you to worry and fret, and have them bow the knee in obedience to me.
Receive a new level of my peace which silences their clamour for attention’.

We will always have situations that cause us concerns, but I pray that this reflection will encourage you, with me, to remain above the noise of them all.