Centennial Trail in Sedona, Arizona is an easy, short, paved hike, only two-thirds of a mile out and back. More of a stroll than a hike, really. The view is pretty good of the nearby red rock formations, including the imposing Cockscomb Butte. The sunsets are great because it’s a flat, open area and you can see both the sunset itself and the golden light that plays on the mountains to the horizon’s east. So while it’s not much of a trail, the views can be rewarding. But the most interesting thing about Centennial Trail, for me, is the knowledge that it was built on the site of Sedona’s long-time city dump. You can still see the sun glancing off small bits of glass and metal that are the remains of decades of debris. The city restored the area for Sedona’s Centennial celebration in 2002, thus the name.
The trail is a reminder that beauty — both the physical beauty of the world and our own inner beauty that flows from the presence of the Spirit of God — can very often lie under our histories of neglect and even abuse. We can walk the paths of our lives and feel like the remains of someone else’s life, not realizing that we are actually choice spots of radiant beauty, vantage points from which others might someday be able to pass en route to glimpsing the glory of God just beyond us. We await only the nurturing touch and the gentle weeding of the gardener’s hand. Restored…we can be restored.
Ask yourself in silence: What is the debris of my life? From what do I need to be restored?
Note: I wrote a similar piece a few years ago about another former city dump in Ft. Bragg, California.
5 comments On Today’s Word: Restoration
To all those who read these very inspiring words of Steve, please pray for my family . We are at the moment experiencing a terrible event and I need you to intercede with God to help us. Thank you
You have the prayers of Sue and I this evening as we head off to bed, Lysiane. God bless you during this difficult time…
Steve
Lysiane, I will keep you in prayer today, that you and your family may feel God’s nearness and keep you safe..
I felt like I was on that trail, Steve; such beauty to be witnessed. Isn’t it true, sometimes we need to just keep our heads up, looking toward the One from whom all good things come, to “see” the beauty all around us. At the same time, if we don’t look down (or back) we miss even the sparkle in the stones, in the earth underfoot, and in the history of our lives. There is a reason He makes us capable of looking in many directions, I think. I am forever amazed at how God brings something good out of every situation!
Thanks for your thought provoking words as always. God bless.
Kathleen
Steve, Jan and I remember that area from 50 years ago when we first saw Sedona. It was a horrid place back then full all sorts of trash, discarded kitchen appliances, motor vehicles and anything else you can imagine. At the same time it was a place of beauty surrounded by the wonders of God’s hand. The last time we were there three years ago we were delighted in what had been done. The little bits of glass left actually do make it a wonderful place to be when the sun hits them and they make you think of being surrounded by tiny diamonds.
God’s world is truly remarkable if only we take the time to see it and listen to what he has to say to us. Thanks go out to you for helping us to remember to see that world and to listen with our whole being.
Lysiane – even though we don’t know you, we will keep you and yours in our prayers. We are all one big family in the eyes of the Lord.
Bless you,
Jim
As always, Steve, thanks for your insight. I sometimes think I have to figure everything out without allowing God’s guidance. I still have to do the work to get the weeds out, but God can provide the spiritual tools for the task.