Up Against It

My title for this photo, taken on a hike in Colorado’s Red Rock country, is Up Against It. The image makes me a little uneasy. What a looming presence the rock formation is! The tree looks as if it might lean over and fall at any minute. Yet, the pine tree stands straight and tall, oblivious to the intimidating presence of the rock.

Leaning has another meaning in addition to ‘leaning over ready to fall’, however. A favorite hymn reminds us we can be “safe and secure from all alarms” by “Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms”. Just now, the challenges of life in this world can seem overwhelming. At times we truly do feel “up against it”. Like the tree, however, we can stand straight and tall.

All we need to do is remember where the source of our power lies. The words of the hymn are based on the passage of scripture that reminds us:

The eternal God is your refuge,

And underneath are the everlasting arms… (Deuteronomy 33:27, NKJV).

Accessing that sheltering power is simple. It can be ours any time, in any situation, even (or maybe especially) in this difficult time. All we need to do is to remember that we have it, and to keep in mind where to lean.

To close with hope and encouragement, the old hymn says it best:

What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.