Lauterbrunnen

One of the best things my parents did for me as a young boy was to buy a World Book Encyclopedia set.  I would spend hours jumping from one article to another as my curious mind sought to learn.  I vividly recall coming to the article on Switzerland and seeing a cover picture that forever filled me with awe.  How could such a beautiful place exist?  The picture showed a narrow, water-fall filled valley of green pastures surrounded by towering, cathedral-like, snow-covered mountains.

In 2013, my children visited Switzerland during their European vacation.  As I looked through their pictures, I saw this amazing valley – the Lauterbrunnen Valley.  Immediately it became a dream of mine to one day visit this magical place that some people described as “heaven-like”.  J.R.Tolkein said that his visit to this valley inspired his vision of Rivendell in his book, Lord of the Rings.

So, from Sept. 12^th to the 19^th, me, Hannah, and her husband, Daniel, spent 8 wonderful days exploring what many say is the most beautiful part of the Alps.  (I spent another 4 days in Zermatt and Lucerne.)  For those familiar with measuring heights, the village of Lauterbrunnen sits at 2,600 feet and the tallest peak is nearby Juangfrau which rises to over 13,600 feet.  It’s rare anywhere on earth to find such a huge elevation change in a short distance, let alone a place surrounded with quaint villages, green meadows, wild flowers, pine forests, rugged mountains, and snow-covered glaciers.  During those 8 days we rode cable cars, gondolas, cog-wheel trains, and hiked dozens of miles through some of the most awe-inspiring places I’ve ever seen.

I took this picture one evening just down the road from the place we were staying.  The bottom right is the Swiss village of Lauterbrunnen and the top left is the Jungfrau Mountain.

For me, walking from the valley floors to the mountain ridges was a worship experience.  “The heavens proclaim the glory of God; the skies display His craftsmanship.  He holds in His hands the depths of the earth, and the mightiest mountain belong to Him.  For the Lord is the one who shaped the mountains, stirs up the winds, and reveals His thoughts to mankind.  He turns the light of dawn into darkness and treads on the heights of the earth.  The Lord God of hosts is His name, who formed the mountains by His power, and wrapped Himself with mighty strength.”  (Psalm 19:1;  95:4;  Amos 4:13;  Psalm 65:6)

Yet, despite the tremendous beauty my eyes were privileged to see, I know it’s only a foretaste of the glory God has made ready for those who trust in Him.  “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” (2 Cor.2:9)  After visiting the Lauterbrunen Valley and surrounding areas, my excitement for heaven has increased.  So, having a glimpse of what is ahead, I can endure whatever hardships and difficulties come my way, because I know these things will not last forever.  But what will last forever is the beauty, the majesty, and the glory our beloved Father has waiting to give us on the last day.  “It is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32)