Dusting for God's Fingerprints

A Western Montana Landscape and Commentary

I've been at a loss lately for something to write about.  I figured I needed to do something about it though so for this post, I decided to do some searching around through my notes and journals to find something I could share.

A few weeks after first arriving in Montana back in August of 2010, I attended a missionary conference that was held out on a farm in the Moiese Valley near Charlo, MT, about 60 miles from Missoula.  These conferences are normally conducted inside church buildings, so it was quite a blessing to have spent this spiritually uplifting experience outdoors in God's country.

The theme of the conference was "dusting for God's fingerprints".  About midway through our time out there, we each were instructed to go and find a quiet spot on this ranch.  Once there, we were given about 20 minutes or so to write down our observations and thoughts of how God had a hand in everything we were viewing before us.

I found a spot right along a river bank on that ranch, sat myself down, watched, pondered, wrote what I saw and felt. As I have gone back and read it, I noticed I did skip around to a couple different topics without much of a connecting idea linking them together but my hope is that as you read, you can gleam some lesson from going out and noticing God's hand in all things.

Before you read, read the following scripture that was shared with us before we were sent out to "dust for God's fingerprints".  Make note of the last phrase in that scripture, that being the theme of what I set out to write about. 

The Lord, while speaking to Moses, taught this principle about the purpose of God's creations:

"And behold, all things have their likeness, and all things are created and made to bear record of me, both things which are temporal, and things which are spiritual; things which are in the heavens above, and things which are on the earth, and things which are in the earth, and things which are under the earth, both above and beneath: all things bear record of me." -  Moses 6:63

 Foust Ranch in the Moise Valley near Charlo, MT

- Except for some grammatical corrections, the text remains the same as when I wrote it on August 31st, 2010 -

I sit here on a stone and pebble ridden river bank, listening to the water as it flows by.  Some parts are calm and free flowing.  In other parts, you can see where the water is more shallow and faces rocky areas.  This causes the water to ripple and make waves.  It also is the loudest and most noticeable section of the river in view.  Despite the hard places it hits though, it continues to flow.  Once it reaches what's in its way, it does not stop nor go another way.  For the water hitting it head on, it goes over the top.  For the water hitting in on the side, it goes over the side.  No matter what lays ahead of it, the water flows around.  It flows with its surrounding land and terrain, not against it. 

The river helps and supports all nearby vegetation and wildlife.  For many the river is their lifeline here.  Remove it or have it stop flowing and now those depending on it must change.  The environment is ever changing.  This river, most likely, might have only developed a couple hundred years ago, maybe more, maybe less.  This world was created to be able, if willing, to adapt and change.  If that were not so, we would have no purpose to be living on this Earth. 

The clouds in the sky are large and impressive to the sight.  Occasionally they block the radiant beams of the sun and on others, they allow a brilliant ray of sun light to grace, if just a portion, on the landscape that God has created.  How beautiful and magnificent is that spot of light upon the land.  It shines above all other areas.  But just as everything else, change comes and another cloud blocks its rays and another part of land receives its turn for the light.

For some, it may only seem cold and dreary, waiting diligently under the clouded sky to receive the warmth and light that others have received.  Without change, that would not be possible, but because there is a God that is knowledgeable of all of our deeds and trials, the sun light will come.  Often times, its just trying with all its might to break through the clouds that hinder its sight.  You can look up and see its celestial glory and magnificence penetrating through some areas of the clouds.  But when the winds of change come and blow these clouds into different directions, the clouds do not stop or resist.  The sun, recognizing its opportunity to shine on all, does not turn its back or shun its blessed chance.  Rather, it glows with all of its heart and might, to bless all the land with its joy, happiness, and light.  It too makes shadows, for it is a choice and an evidence of our agency, to stand in the light.

You can allow the rays of the sun into your heart or you can turn it away, push it out and keep it from entering your soul.  The land is smart however, because it simply does not stop living when the cold, rain, and snow blanket its face.  Nor does it reject the sun when it beats upon it.  It accepts the change and does its best to make the best of what it has. 

The rocks that I sit on - how long have they been kept from the smooth, cooling water that once ran over them?  It rains and reminds the of the memory of water, but do they look forward, without a doubt, that the constant flowing water will come again?  Some maybe have left, whether by choice or not, but must wait because they know about change.  They know the waters will come again.  But should they not, they too also know that the water is gracing another part of the land and for that, they have much to rejoice for.  They are all in many different sizes, shapes, and colors.  But all are content because they know that above all the sun will shine on each and everyone of them. 

The sun rises and sets so that it can touch all who seek it.  Some of those rocks that have been waiting to be with the water again, get to do so just a little sooner then others.  That's ok.  For now, the other's waiting know that there will be someone whom they know that will come along their way and how great will be their joy when that time comes.  Until that time, change will visit all.  How they receive that change predicates their joy, happiness, and existence.