Natural Bridge
Lynchburg, Virginia
Potter's Clay
Natural Bridge is a natural wonder. One of the seven natural wonders of the world. Not man-made, but God made. A creative piece of earth formed by the hand of God. In fact, it reminded me of a potter and his clay. A place in the clay where the potter might have put his thumb through during the formation of his project, perhaps creating a handle on the side of a pitcher.
What was God thinking when He created the Natural Bridge, just
outside of Lynchburg, Virginia?
Did the very thumb of God create such a "hole" in the clay He used to form the earth?
Which day of creation did God use to create this wonder we can still see to this day?
In the beginning...
Visiting the Natural Bridge late in the day gave us the opportunity to witness an interesting re-creation of the world. As the sun set, the light show began and the voice of God seemed to boom from the heavens above.
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth..."
We sat at a National Historic Landmark once owned by Thomas Jefferson and surveyed by George Washington, hearing the creation story told through the Word of God. Each day of creation was captured by a different set of light patterns that illuminated the underside of this rock bridge. Benches lined the walkways, and people came with their children, with their blankets, and gathered together with their families to watch what God had done..."In the beginning."
Even Today
How is this possible during a time in our country where God seems to be disappearing from our public places to gather? During a time when prayer is not allowed in our schools, and the theory of evolution long ago replaced the story of creation in our textbooks? And yet, we can still find a place where God's Word is allowed to be shared openly with believers and unbelievers alike. A crowd of people in America can sit gazing up at what God's very hand has formed, and listen to His Word about how this process took place. Yes, even today!
And then, right in the middle of this spectacle, the Lord's Prayer rings out in all its glory! Filling the night air is our instruction from Jesus on how we are to talk with the Creator of the Universe!
Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom
and the power
and the glory
Forever!
A Special Treat!
It's a treat not to be missed in the state of Virginia! It's a place where God is honored for what He has done, and where God is not hidden in the back room, in a closet, or in the darkness, but is displayed in His full glory under His very own starry night sky!
The Natural Bridge in Virginia could easily be missed. It is not a huge place marked out on the map, there's no large star next to its name with big arrows pointing toward it as a place everyone should visit. I can't even say we had ever heard about it until we saw pictures of it on brochures that we picked up while in the visitor's center. In fact, while we were there we had trouble remembering just what the seven natural wonders of the world were? There are only seven, so it should not be all that difficult. I believe we have come up with six so far...the Grand Canyon, The Natural Harbor at Rio De Janeiro, Victoria Falls, the Natural Bridge, Mt. Everest and the Great Barrier Reef. We're still looking for the seventh!
It's A Wonder
Seven, God's perfect number. The number of completion...is it any "wonder" that there are seven natural ones in the world that God has created?
Is it any wonder that this one is still displayed in all His glory? I believe so, and I believe it's a great place to stop and take a moment to reflect on how large and mighty our God is and what a "Wonder" He is to all who love and honor Him above all else.
