You are not alone

​Before a training yesterday morning, I took a hike with my friend and workmate Marrin. It was one of the most spectacular visual experiences I've had in a long time, and in turn, one of the most spiritual.

I recently heard Steven Furtick say, "there are some things in your life you need to stop stressing about at a level that assumes you're going to have to do it alone."

My eyes heard the echo of Furtick's words in this scene yesterday. My eyes heard God say, "you are not alone."

There is a scientific phenomenon known as 'restorative environments.' Essentially what this phenomenon tells us is what we allow our eyes to see can directly influence our mental state, and even our capacity for hope and connectedness.

This seems to be especially true of our natural environments.

Additional scientific research tells us that filtering positive imagery through our eyes enhances our mental resilience. Intentionally choosing what we focus on, it turns out, can shape our mental health and outlook on life.

We also read a lot about this in the bible.

In the book of Matthew we read, "the eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light." And in the Psalms we read, "I lift up my eyes to the mountains - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth."

Is it possible life can get to feeling like I'm going at it alone because my eyes are pointed at environments, people, places and things, that are telling me stories of destruction and not restoration?

Is it possible life can get to feeling like I'm going at it alone because loneliness can leave my eyes prone to drooping to the ground and not pointing at the beauty of the natural world around me?

Is it possible life can get to feeling like I'm going at it alone because I long to see a more hopeful future but I'm filling my eyes with images of a hopeless past?

If you're feeling like you're going at it alone today, I would encourage you, consider what you're allowing your eyes to see.

And hear.

I often say I go into the woods to hear God. People will sometimes look at me a bit skeptical when I say that. They have their doubts, and that's okay.

Because when I once again look at this breathtaking image from yesterday, I am left with no doubt what my eyes have heard. Like a beautiful hug they have heard and felt the words I so constantly long to hear.

They have heard indeed, you are not alone.