Camelback Mountain

Camelback Mountain

There are prominent landmarks in many cities and communities in our country. The Empire State Building is a familiar sight in New York City. The Freedom Arch in St. Louis, Missouri is too. The Golden Gate Bridge is a famous sight in San Francisco and the grain silos have become well-known in Waco, Texas too. But, as we learned on 9-11, man made landmarks can be destroyed.

The most noticeable landmark in Phoenix, Arizona is Camelback Mountain. One of the first things you notice as you fly into the Phoenix airport is Camelback Mountain. When we drive to Phoenix, one of the first things we look for on the horizon is Camelback Mountain.

When my parents moved our family to Phoenix in the 1950’s we lived south of Camelback Mountain near 56^th Street and Thomas Road. Later, when we moved to Scottsdale we were several miles east of this familiar landmark.     

One time when we were teenagers, we hiked up the trial to the top of Camelback to watch the fireworks around the city on the 4^th of July. The view wasn’t very good and it was a challenge getting back down in the dark. Now, you see people hiking up the mountain every day especially in the cooler times of the year.

One of the things that I like about Camelback Mountain is that it is always there. No matter where you are in the Phoenix area you can see this silent sentinel in the distance. It never moves and never changes. It is a solid, silent, unmovable anchor in the middle of a busy bustling community. Generations come and generations go but Camelback is still there.

Many times in the Bible, God is described as an unmovable rock or mountain. He is a reliable, never-changing anchor in life. Even when the world is changing and unforeseen events occur – God is unmovable and never-changing.  One author wrote, “You are my solid rock, my fortress in whom I take refuge” (Psalm 18:2).  When things are changing around you and events shake your faith, don’t be consumed with fear. Keep your faith and your future anchored in the solid rock – the God of the Bible. You will be glad you did and He will too.

You can find 365 more articles and stories by the author in his book, Let Me Encourage You. The book is available for $25 which includes postage & shipping. Contact him at markh@efreedb.org or by mail at 3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd / Diamond Bar, CA 91765 and on Facebook.