Hope After Catastrophe: Regaining Perspective From Higher Ground

Perched upon breathtaking cliffs, my eyes searched the surroundings in disbelief. Pure waves of blue rolled below, occasionally showing off a white cap from time to time as if to remind the spectators it is, in fact, real. Wind whipped wildly. Sun rays beamed steadily. Clouds floated softly. Every sense was enamored in some meaningful way as seagulls soared above, gliding across the crystal blue sky.

“Does it get any more perfect than this?” I whispered to my husband seated beside me.

Our 20th anniversary trip to Santorini, Greece last week was more than we could have imagined we needed. A full life with four children and constant pressing demands left us dry with little energy for one another. It was time to pause and reconnect, not to mention celebrate this milestone of grace.

“Where did this place come from?” I thought to myself in true astonishment. “I feel like we are in the middle of nowhere.”

Come to find out…we were! In case you are curious—Santorini, one of the Cyclades islands, is positioned in the middle of the Aegean Sea. From my airplane window its shape caught my attention and I was eager to learn more.

Over the last 450,000 years, more than 100 volcanic eruptions took place there, with the largest and most powerful eruption taking place 3,500 years ago. It was during this massive eruption, that the enormous crater collapsed in on itself. Catastrophically, this Minoan eruption at the time caused a devastating tsunami which reached the coasts of Crete, destroying most of it’s coastal settlements contributing to the decline of the entire Minoan civilization.

Astonishingly, with each violent eruption, layers of volcanic rock formed to create the magnificent cliffs we enjoy today. The crater is now partially submerged underwater, providing a centerpiece for visitors to admire and hot springs for tourists to experience.

The entire week, this stunning fact formed layer after layer of amazement for me. My mind could barely comprehend the degree of beauty created from events so violent and destructive.

In my life this has certainly been the case, though I dare acknowledge it.

A turbulent childhood moving over fifteen times in less than twelve years, witnessing unfaithfulness and its effects on our family, never feeling the steadiness of calm day to day led me in desperation to form layers of deep trust in an unwavering God. I’ve witnessed His steady presence when raising a family in New York City away from the familiar, and His tender rebuke when I wanted to live life on my own terms. Through it all God has formed layers of beauty and faith in my life despite heartbreak and tears along the way.

Perhaps that is the case for you as well.

Then on the day we were scheduled to leave Greece, news broke of a deadly attack in Israel followed by an earthquake in Afghanistan. Thousands of lives lost. Billions affected as the world continues to look on in horror at the events unfolding.

I’m not sure there is much sense to make of the atrocities occurring in our time. They are heartbreaking and horrific at best. Yet, I cling to what my eyes witnessed the past seven days: the awe-inspiring beauty that left me speechless, created from violent tragedy. Layer upon layer. Grace upon grace.

And, I wonder if we might gain some perspective from higher ground as we pray and seek to help those walking through incomprehensible pain these days.

“The Lord has anointed me … to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit.” Isaiah 61:1,3-4 ESV

This passage in Isaiah reminds us, once again, that the things of this world will pass away. We need not anguish in our clinging to the beauty we thought once was, but in the midst of the ashes, we are invited to grasp all the more tightly to the higher truth that God is working out His plan for new life, restoration, and wholeness.

There is hope in the perspective gained from higher ground.

One day, we will stand amazed at more than breathtaking cliffs. We will worship and dwell with the Almighty God, the Great I Am. He will anoint us with oil of eternal gladness clothed in His righteousness and strength for all our days.

May we remain on higher ground amidst surrounding ashes and find comfort as we acknowledge the beauty of living hope even as we mourn the brokenness.

Higher Ground by Johnson Oatman Jr., 1898

I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I’m upward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven’s table land,
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

Verse 2
My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where those abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.

Verse 3
Beyond the mist I fain would rise,
To rest beneath unclouded skies,
Above earth’s turmoil peace is found
By those who dwell on higher ground.

Verse 4
I want to live above the world,
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.

Verse 5
I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till Heav’n I’ve found,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

Verse 6
Lord lead me up the mountain side,
I dare not climb without my Guide;
And, heaven gained, I’ll gaze around,
with grateful heart from higher ground.

Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven’s table land,
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

Amen.