All hope isn't lost

On November 28th, 2016, a devastating wildfire roared through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, injuring some 200 people and claiming the lives of 14 more. Economic damage estimates due to the fire, were over $500 million. To natives and visitors alike, seeing images of the charred mountains they loved, was heartbreaking. It was like nothing our generation had endured prior.
All hope seemed lost. 

On January 20th, 2020, the first case of Covid-19 was reported in the United States. Since that day, some 2 million people have been infected and well over 100 thousand Americans have died from the illness. To citizens and foreigners alike, seeing images of overcrowded hospitals with the sick and suffering, was heartbreaking. It was like nothing our generation had endured prior.
All hope seemed lost.

 This past weekend, Amber and I went to Gatlinburg for a couples retreat. The group activities on Friday night were great, but the Saturday drive and hike alone together, were arguably better. There is something healing and healthy about the seclusion of nature. Something powerfully refreshing about mountain air and looking out into the beautiful world our God created. There has been so much sadness and hurt in the world this year. People dying, people divided, and it is only June.
All hope seems lost. 

A weekend item on Amber's bucket list was to hike Clingman's Dome. Clingman's Dome is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains, the highest point in Tennessee, and the 3rd highest point on the east coast. It is likely the promised 100 mile views that attract so many visitors, but it was something different that caught my attention and has been on my mind ever since. "Everything is turning green again, Amber!"

Where burned trees had fallen and mountainsides scorched, beautiful lush green plants and trees were growing in its place. The mountain was making a comeback and it was beautiful to see. Once I got home, I started looking for news capturing the forest coming alive again. Sure enough, I stumbled upon two articles. The first taught me that the "natural pattern of recovery after a wildfire is referred to as 'ecological succession.'" Also, a counterintiutive understanding became clearer to me the more I read, although unwelcome and unwanted, forest fires can have a positive impact on the forest floor and vegetation. Native grasses and flowers thrive, soil contains even more nutrients, and a richer habitat is created for birds and wildlife. A second article I found was from a local news station posted just two years after the devastating fires, the title, "Everything turns green after the fires." The article boasted that "70% of areas affected by the fires of November, 2016, are recovering very rapidly." Also, the park's fire ecologist stated, "It will be difficult to see that these areas were even burned. In fact, entire areas will become transformed into new forests over the next decade." I'm no fire ecologist, but I think I'm reading that as a result of the fires, the forest may be transformed, made new, made...dare I say...better?

Friends, the entirety of the bible is comprised of 66 different books, but it's truly one continuous story...God's metanarrative about love, compassion, and...HOPE. Whether you are reading Exodus or other books of the Old Testament or the Gospels and other books of the New Testament, you see God's people in situations where...
All hope seemed lost.

Seeing the green growth of the Great Smoky Mountains has renewed my spirit, given me optimism for the future, and reminded me about the past. As God's people we will do more than survive, we will thrive, and be better for the unwanted difficulties that have befallen us this year. We will make a comeback and it will be beautiful to see. We will be transformed, made new, made...dare I say...better? Know tonight that God loves you so very much, so do I, and...
ALL HOPE ISN'T LOST.

Much Love, Adam

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