To say that Saturday was a great day would be an absolute understatement. By God's grace, I was able to complete the Dogwood Canyon 50k trail run--a run known for it's massive elevation gain and rocky terrain. The weather was absolutely perfect (was able to run in a tank top and shorts), the trails were lined with the vibrant colors of fall and countless streams and water crossings, and the sounds of nature were all around. But the best part? Before the race began, I had the honor of delivering the message at the worship service the Bass Pro Shops Fitness Series offers its participants. And this is what I said:
"Good morning runners!! The Lord is blessing us with some awesome temperatures for today’s run and, if you’re new to Dogwood Canyon, you’re going to discover that God’s many blessings will be scattered everywhere along the trails as well. That’s one of the things I love so much about this Nature Park and one of the main things that has had me coming back year after year for more than a decade.
The colors of fall will be all around us and will serve as a testimony to not only the presence of God in this place but to His attention to detail and His ability to make all things beautiful and sustainable.
This is an important reminder for many of us who spend the majority of our time away from the solitude of nature. We can easily forget that our God is not only the God who makes big things like the sun, the moon, and the stars…
but is the God who makes streams flow from the mountains into the valleys, provides food for all creation, and causes all of nature to work together in perfect harmony as well.
That’s why the careful study of nature can tell us so much about the One who created it and renew our awe and love for Him….
This is something Romans 1:20 tells us, saying that “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse for not knowing God.”
One of these invisible qualities we will “re” discover today if we pay attention is that God is not only the Supreme Creator of the Universe but that all that He has made, in its purest form, shows that He is good and worthy of all praise…
This is something I hope you’ll think about as you pass by the canyon’s creeks and study the color of the water—water that’s a beautiful blue.
Interestingly enough, colors have meaning in the Bible and the color blue signifies the Healing Power of God among other things—something that doesn’t surprise me since nature has the unique ability to heal our hearts and minds.
Now back to the blue water… in a blog on Dogwood Canyon's webpage, the writer addressed the question many people have asked…what makes Dogwood's water so blue?
This was the response:
Nestled along the Missouri-Arkansas border, Dogwood Canyon Nature Park is a sanctuary of waterfalls, limestone bluffs, and winding trails. But one of its most captivating features is the vibrant turquoise water that flows through the canyon’s creeks.
Visitors often pause, wondering: Why is the water so blue? And no, it isn’t dyed. To answer that, we need to dive beneath the surface — into the geology and chemistry that shape this stunning landscape.
At the heart of Dogwood Canyon’s glowing waters is limestone, a sedimentary rock rich in calcium carbonate. As water flows over and through this rock, it picks up microscopic mineral particles. These particles don’t just float; they interact with sunlight in a fascinating way.
When sunlight hits the water, the calcium carbonate crystals scatter light, especially the blue and green wavelengths. This scattering effect gives the water its distinct turquoise hue, similar to what’s seen in other limestone-rich rivers like the Little Colorado River and Buffalo River.
It’s not just the minerals that make the water beautiful — it’s also the clarity. Limestone acts as a natural filter, removing impurities as water seeps through the rock. The result is crystal-clear water that allows sunlight to penetrate deeply and reflect off the pale stone below, intensifying the blue-green effect. On sunny days, this clarity creates a mirror-like surface that seems to glow from within.
If you think that’s amazing, consider what the writer went on to say about the water…. Beyond its beauty, the water in Dogwood Canyon supports a thriving ecosystem. The cool, mineral-rich streams are home to rainbow trout, aquatic plants, and a variety of native species. The balance of temperature, oxygen, and minerals creates an ideal habitat for life to flourish.
Can you envision a bit of God’s “invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature” from that description?
I myself thought about that description and what the Word tells us… that God is our Rock, our fortress, and our salvation. And like the limestone that purifies, “ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9).
And then we have this… the one who delights themself in the Lord…. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers. (Psalm 1:1-3) in other words, the person who trusts in God flourishes under His care just as the trout do! Is that amazing or what?
So, run with joy today, as You consider the works of His hands friends. My prayer is that you will feel His presence in such a way throughout the course of your race that you can’t help but burst out in praise the way I always do! After all if all creation sings His praises, shouldn’t we sing them too?"
And you know what? You don't have to be a runner to reap the benefits of getting out in nature. As we know, the Lord reveals Himself through the Word and the World. So make time every day to go for a walk in the great outdoors. The benefits you'll reap will be way more than just physical ones.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the way you reveal who You are to us. Help us to continually seek You each and every day Lord that we might grow closer to You and, in doing so, impact a world in desperate need of the salvation that only You can provide. Help us to be a shining light in this dark world. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!
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