It was around the year 2000 and it was one unforgettable day!

I had just returned to my birthplace — a town nestled in scenic hills and below some soaring cliffs on the edge of an arm of the Atlantic ocean. One such soaring cliff seemed impossible to climb when I was a little boy growing up near one of my favorite beaches.  The cliff was high; the rock face was rugged and precipitous. The bush below was dense and seemingly impenetrable.

Now, on this return visit, I discovered that a rough hiking trail had been constructed in a zig-zag pattern in and around rugged obstacles on the back side of the cliff. My whole being was filled with excitement as I began my hike and gentle climb up the trail. I drank deeply of the picturesque moss, plants and trees; listened carefully to the sounds of surrounding birds. Once I arrived at the top, I felt ‘”blown away” by the amazing scenery of God’s creation around and below me.

There were the blue waters of the Atlantic ocean on threes sides – before me, to my left and to my right. Numerous islands dotted the fiord-like bay. The waters below shimmered in the brilliant sunshine and the sea birds glided about on currents of air –demonstrating the amazing God whom I serve!  I was so excited that I burst out into song 

“O God, you are my God and I will ever praise you.

I will praise you in the morning...and all day long…”

I sensed that God was there in awesome power with me --- I joined with nature in praising Him aloud at that moment!  I spread out my arms and shouted His praise at the top of my lungs!  It may sound comical to you but the experience of those moments in my view from the top would influence my life the rest of that day.

“Shout to the Lord …Break out in praise and sing for joy!

May He be pleased by all these thoughts about Him,

For I rejoice in the Lord.” (Psalm 98:4, Ps. 104:34, NLT)

After descending the trail, that view from the top -- of God and His creation -- so impacted me that I could encourage others and be a blessing to them out of the overflow of my heart.

Transform your day by:

·         Thinking of God the moment you awake — praise him for the new day.

·         Reflect on even one verse of the Bible to begin your morning. I place a Bible even in our bathroom so that I can start my day “from the top” with God. Ruth Graham said that she learned many insights from God by glancing at a verse from His Word when she kept an open Bible in various places around the house.