The Circle of Life

April 10, 2022
Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius
Aww…the circle of life, even the big dogs one day face their final day.
 
I love Rocky Mountain National Park.  I’ve been there enough that now I close my eyes and visually retrace all of my hikes through its’ beauty.  The splendor, grandeur, the sheer majesty of what God created here on earth is breathtaking.
 
Every step from Bear Lake to Nymph Lake to Dream Lake and then ultimately to Emerald Lake, I often retrace in my mind.  The upward climb in the high elevation takes my breath away.  But I don’t give up, even with my heart going BOOM-BOOM-BOOM, along the way.  The few moments of discomfort soon pass away when I round the corner and Emerald Lake comes into view.  Surely, this is where God camps out.
 
But just as beautiful as the lakes, hidden deep within the mountain, is the valley, especially Moraine Park, a valley as big as the sky.  The prairie grass is waist deep and, when the breeze blows, the grass moves like waves on the sea.  Through the middle a ribbon of water flows through.
 
It is to here that majestic elk descend from the high country for the fall rut.  Over the years, one bull elk has reigned supreme, Kahuna.  Big and strong, there was no doubt Kahuna was the king of the valley.  Other bulls may have challenged him for the herd, but Kahuna always won.  No doubt about it.  He was the big dog, big elk of the valley!
 
But this past fall, another rose up for the challenge.  Gored and wounded, Kahuna retreated to the trees to recover from his wounds.  He did not recover and now he returns to dust.
 
If you are the big dog in life, the Kahuna of the valley, one day you too will be made low.  Every king, dictator, leader, every Kahuna, eventually loses their battle to death.  But if you know Jesus, that final battle gives way to victory.
 
By the way, all little dogs, little Kahuna’s, end up the same way.
Thinking of my final battle---the circle of life.
Pastor Allan                                
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