“And it will come about in the last days that the mountain of the house of the Lord will be established as the chief of the mountains. It will be raised up above the hills and the people will stream to it. Many nations will come and say, “Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord and to the house of the God of Jacob (Micah 4:1-2)”

Snowdog and Stryder are back on the PCT Trail in Washington State. We took six weeks off from our adventure (more on that later) because of unmanageable and unsafe snow conditions. Now our goal is to reach the Canadian border. The PCT in Washington is drop dead beautiful. Many consider it the crown of the hike. I agree.

One of the first things we noticed about the trail is how various mountain peaks dominate and define the trail. When we left Cascade Locks and crossed the Bridge of the Gods into Washington, we immediately started climbing (the Columbia River is the lowest point on the entire trail). And we climbed and we climbed. Within a few days we were high enough to be able to survey the landscape. To the South stood Mount Hood, rising up in Northern Oregon. To the North Mount Baker dominated the horizon. Off in the distance to the West was Mount St. Helen’s. She famously erupted back in 1980, losing almost 20% of her elevation and taking 19 lives in the process (blowing your top never increases your stature). A week or so later Mount Rainer came into view further to the North.

Mountains are amazing things in general and the Mountain Peaks of the Northwest are especially impressive. There are about 10 peaks above 10,000 feet, with Mount Rainer leading the pack at 14,411 feet. Together they form part of the Ring of Fire that surrounds the Pacific Ocean. All of these mountains are volcanoes and most are extinct, but not all, as Mt St Helen’s reminds us. Each of these mountains has their own stories and legends. A group of miners was bivuoaced on top of Mount Baker during a fierce thunder storm when lightning struck their shelter. One of the miners was knocked unconscious and awoke with a permanent brand on his derier from a pair of plyers he had in his back pocket.

The Holy Land has it’s own mountain peaks. Sinai, Hermon, Gilboa, Nebo, Bashan and Zion, to name a few. Mount Zion would not be very impressive compared to the majestic peaks of the Northwest. But it will prove to be the most significant mountain of all time. Who knew?

Stature and significance are not measured in feet or mass or by any natural benchmark. The Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed. Mustard seeds usually escape notice. The day is coming when everyone will notice and be drawn to the mountain of the House of the Lord. Our experience climbing up and down and around these mountains has drawn our hearts to the One who made them.