to dazzle you

My friend and I were driving up the mountains to the lodge we were staying at for my best friend's wedding.  I had heard a lot about how amazing Lake Tahoe is, but truly had no idea what to expect.  As we pulled around a bend on the way up and I caught my first glimpse of the lake, tears flooded my eyes.  I cannot put words to how strikingly gorgeous it was.  And then for the next 3 days I got to take it in over and over again.  It was like it just got more and more beautiful every time I looked at it.

I once heard Donald Miller talk about a time that a photographer buddy of his took him out into the middle of nowhere to lie down in the road and watch the sunrise.  Miller talked about how it was one of the most amazing things he has ever seen.  While they were lying there, he asked his friend why he thought God would create such intense beauty that relatively few people would ever even see.  His response: "To dazzle you right now."

I love his friend's simple response, and I thought it often while we were up there.  I looked up the word "dazzle," because it seemed so fitting, but kinda cheesy.  This is what the dictionary says, "to amaze or overwhelm (someone) with a particular impressive quality."  Couldn't have picked a more accurate word.

For someone that seems to always try to relate to God intellectually, see the complexities in everything and seek explanations constantly... this was a somewhat rare and extremely powerful experience.  I was able to just enjoy this amazing part of creation, and experience the God who created it and chose to dazzle me in such a way.  It was an amazing experience, and I am SO grateful.

One of the sunsets over Lake Tahoe.