Does Beauty Bite?

 Day 2 Doxology:  Well many of you know that I am living here on this holy and sacred ground called Camp Sumatanga.  It's incredibly majestic, but there is an element of Camp that can be harsh.  This camp was forged out of the depths of nature, and nature is always reminding Camp that although it's been here since the late 40's it is still here as a guest.

Last night I awoke several times and realized that it was raining, but never did I witness a down pour of any magnitude or concern. However, this morning on my inspection of Camp it was clear that the heavens were unleashed at some point in the darkness.  In truth, the ground was so saturated that its really wouldn't take much to cause the enormous showing of run-off that was so visible in the early light.  So, it made me think!

It made me think about how beautiful, and dangerous, nature can be.  The Grand Canyon is an epic array of colors and vastness of erosion...it's simply beautiful, but get too close to the edge or descend its trails to the valley without being prepared and its beauty bites.  Or, hike to the summit of Everest and receive a view that would last a lifetime and beyond, but do it without careful planning or oxygen or acclimation and your memory is certainly shortened because beauty bites.

Today's doxology is the reflection of 70 plus years of breathtaking views of the waterfall feeding the pool at Pool Camp.  I've researched pictures and stories of so many that remember swimming in the old concrete bordered pool at Pool Camp.  It's like a distinction of an upper class or at least a badge honor to say you were "of" that era that used the original pool.  However, today it's just for pictures.

Today's picture reminded me that so many youth from so many churches in our conference used the pool with great care, but with today's current and rushing waters we would never allow such a privilege.  Have we become wiser or more cautious?  Have we learned the value of one's life or realized the recklessness of man?  Regardless of which side of the fence you fall...if you do not respect nature...we've come to know the beauty of nature will bite.\

I wished you could hear the muffle of nature against the roar of the water as I am reminded how small I am and how large God the creator is as I enjoy God's beauty.  Then and only then, it doesn't bite so bad!  You like apples?