Through Thick and Thin 深浅之地
Dexu Xia
The cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the Israelites during all their travels. Exodus 40:38
On January 28, 1986, the US Space Shuttle Challenger broke apart seventy-three seconds after takeoff. In a speech of comfort to the nation, President Reagan quoted from the poem “High Flight” in which John Gillespie Magee, a World War II pilot, had written of “the high untrespassed sanctity of space” and the sense of putting out his hand to touch “the face of God.”
Although we can’t literally touch God’s face, we sometimes experience a stunning sunset or a place of meditation in nature that gives us an overwhelming sense that He’s near. Some people call these moments “thin places.” The barrier separating heaven and earth seems to grow a little thinner. God feels a little closer.
The Israelites may have experienced a “thin place” as they sensed the nearness of God in the desert wilderness. God provided a pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night to lead them through the desert (Exodus 40:34–38). When they were staying in the camp, “the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle” (v. 35). Throughout all their travels, they knew God was with them.
As we enjoy the incredible beauty of God’s creation, we grow conscious that He’s present everywhere. As we talk with Him in prayer, listen to Him, and read the Scriptures, we can enjoy fellowship with Him anytime and anywhere.
What places in nature make you feel especially close to God? How can you seek Him anytime and anywhere?
Father, help me to seek and find You even when I’m lost in a desert wilderness.
日间，耶和华的云彩是在帐幕以上；夜间，云中有火，在以色列全家的眼前，在他们所行的路上都是这样。—出埃及记40章38节
在1986年1月28日，美国太空梭《挑战者号》发射升空73秒后爆炸解体。当时的美国总统里根在一场对全国人民的慰问演说中，引用二次世界大战飞行员麦基（John Gillespie Magee）写的诗《高高飞翔》（High Flight）。在这首诗中，麦基写到了自己在空中飞舞，感觉好像踏进“高得神圣不可侵犯的空间”，伸手“触摸到上帝的脸”。
虽然我们不可能真的触摸到上帝的脸，但有时令人赞叹的日落景色或大自然的静谧之地，会带给我们一种极其接近上帝的感觉。有些人会把这样的情景称为“稀薄之地”，隔开天堂与尘世之间的屏障似乎更加稀薄，感觉更接近上帝。
以色列人在荒芜的旷野可能也历经了“稀薄之地”，因为他们感觉自己接近上帝。上帝在白天设云柱，夜间立火柱，带领他们越过沙漠（出埃及记40章34-38节）。当他们待在营地时，“耶和华的荣光充满了帐幕”（35节）。在这整个旅程中，他们知道上帝始终与他们同在。
当我们享受上帝各种非凡美丽的创造时，便会越发意识到上帝的无所不在。当我们在祷告中与祂谈话，聆听、阅读祂的话时，可以随时随处享受与祂的团契。
哪些大自然的景观特别让你感到接近上帝？
你如何随时随地寻求祂呢？
天父，请帮助我全心寻求祢，
即使我迷失在荒芜旷野里，也不忘记求告祢。