Michigan’s MARQUETTE I was strolling along what must have been a half-mile stretch of beach as the sun was sinking. The only person there was myself.
The largest and best of the Great Lakes, Lake Superior, was visible to me.
That early August evening served as a reminder of the vastness of nature and my relative insignificance.
Psalm 19:1 came to mind: “The heavens proclaim the glory of God and the work of his hands.”
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For almost two decades, Roberta and I have spent the summers visiting the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Lake Superior and the Upper Peninsula’s isolation are the causes.
The land area of the Upper Peninsula is little less than that of Virginia. The Upper Peninsula is larger than the combined states of Rhode Island, Delaware, Vermont, and New Hampshire.
However, the 2020 census shows that the Upper Peninsula is home to just 301,608 inhabitants. The population of Lorain County, which is close to Cleveland, is 322,030. Akron is located in Summit County, which is home to 538,370 people.
Getting away, getting God
What’s the point?
Most of us occasionally feel the need to distance ourselves from other people.
Alternatively, Roberta recently said, “Too peoplely,” when we came upon a crowd of tourists at Tahquamenon Falls.
After snapping a brief photo of the stunning falls, we made our way to a secluded trail beside Lake Superior.
We occasionally paused to gaze at the water as we trudged along a ridge with a view of Lake Superior.
Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know I am God,” came to mind.
Close to home
Lake Superior is the best of the five Great Lakes, which is why I’m writing about it. The combined volume of water from Lake Huron, Michigan, Ontario, and Erie would still be insufficient to fill Superior.
Lake Tanganyika in Africa and Lake Baikal in Siberia are the only freshwater lakes bigger than Superior.
However, Lake Erie is located very close to us, even if the Upper Peninsula is a stunning location for Great Lakes enthusiasts.
That’s why Roberta and I visit various locations on Lake Erie many times a year.
The sunsets.
It seems as though God creates a new masterpiece every night before the Almighty bids us good night.
There are spots that aren’t overly crowded. The Vermilion/Huron area appeals to us.
Standing on the beaches in the early morning, you can reflect on Psalm 113:3: “The name of the Lord is to be praised from the place where the sun rises until the place where it sets.”
What is the message?
I was a spiritual nomad when I was much younger. In the same way that using mouthwash or cleaning my teeth helps prevent bad breath, I went to church.
I hadn’t experienced any significant hardships that I could reflect on because God had seen me through them.
Nevertheless, every time I witnessed a breathtaking sunset or just gazed at what seemed to be Lake Erie’s infinite horizon, I realized there was a Grand Designer at work.
“Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” says Psalm 8:1. You have exalted yourself in the sky.
When I think about your sky, the work of your fingers, the moon, and the stars that you have placed in place, Psalm 8:3 says
I knew I wanted to talk to you as I was composing this. Do you sense the presence of God in a certain location? Write to me and tell me why. Make an effort to keep it brief.
For correspondence, use [email protected].
