There are some places that we see in life that are truly striking- so beautiful that they are etched into memory forever. These places can often be areas that took so much effort and challenge that once we reached it, it was worthy of celebration or contemplation. Deep within the Black Mountains of North Carolina, Isom Mine is just that. Isom Mine is located west of the summit of Celo Knob within Pisgah National Forest. During 2017, I spent the fall semester planning the adventure, researching the unmaintained forest roads from various hiking-related websites that led to the mine, and planned an epic journey to reach it. Although it appeared as a notable feature on aerial imagery, I did not exactly know what was there. It would be a day of true exploration and adventure in the backcountry.
Just a couple of days after Christmas that year, a friend and I set out. To get to the mine, we ascended the Woody Ridge Trail- which climbs over 3000 feet in elevation in order to reach the top of Celo Knob and links with the Black Mountain Crest trail coming in from Mt. Mitchell. Some of this route is very steep and leads to terrific views going towards the top. After a lot of climbing through the hardwood forest, we reached the top of Celo Knob and began our trek down the west side of the mountain. After another 2+ miles of hiking (on top of the three that we just did), we eventually reached the mine. To our left, we saw a deep vertical mine shaft that made its way far underground. But as we walked, we saw a two person bench perched on top of the slag heap that accumulated after years of mining for mica and other vital minerals. This bench was seated towards one of the most memorable views that I ever saw- looking out towards the western Black Mountains and seeing God’s creation for as far as the eye could see.
We could see the jagged backbone of the peaks north of Mount Mitchell, the Cane River Valley, and the Big / Little Butt Mountains off in the distance. It was a beautiful sight and tucked away peacefully in the wilderness. We spent a good chunk of time taking in the surroundings and awed by what was before us. Seeing a place that can be hiked to but off the beaten path and requiring research to reach is simply terrific. We also saw a couple of waterfalls in the area for good measure and made our way back up Celo Knob. A beautiful sunset greeted us and silhouetted the mountain outline as nightfall came. My friend and I broke out our headlamps and made our way down the steep trail back to our cars. But as we left, the image of the bench perched in a peaceful forest overlooking the Black Mountains could not be forgotten.
As I continued to reflect on the bench and reach out to the Lord, I thought about how beautiful it would be to take a significant other- someone that God would place into my path to love and spend my life with- to this place and see the view before us. Granted, a ten mile hike up and down a mountain can be a challenging thing to pull off. Yet whether at the Isom Mine or somewhere else- taking someone that I love to a special place in God’s creation as a time of love and bonding together is something that is very special. It is a beautiful thing to have a partner on the other side of the bench looking out ahead and being able to forge memories and experiences together. And so I continued to ask the Lord: who would this be and would this come to pass soon?
Yet as my college career continued, God continued to make it known that it was not in His timing for this to take place yet. After a lot of prayer and discernment, He began to open the door towards missions while asking me to leave this area in my life up to Him; even if it meant a season of faithfully waiting and abiding in Him. It is interesting to note that God can and does put key people in our lives for important purposes during these seasons of life. As I prepared to apply for the Race and started on this support journey, God has put many people in my life that I would have not expected. In a way, this is a blessing as many older friendships are being restored and re-connected for the World Race (WR). Bridges of friendship are being mended through God’s grace and forgiveness. Time and time again, God puts the right people in my path at the right time. Ultimately, it is crucial for me to have faith that God will put a special partner in my life in His timing- and continue to have peace with this.
This blog was posted on Valentine’s Day- and as I think of that bench high on the mountains- I think of anticipation. I think of excitement as the Lord directs this part of my life as I pursue Him to the ends of the earth. Anticipation can be a very healthy way of looking forward to something great to come. Anticipation- when harnessed in good fashion- can produce solid motivation in life and lay a foundation for what is to come. Yet as I reflect on this during this time, I should not and do not want this anticipation to turn into worry, doubt, fear, or even jealously as God puts me on this path at the present. This can turn a beautiful thing between a man and a woman meant to glorify God and His Kingdom into a selfish pursuit and towards an end result that would likely not work out very well. A Bible verse that sticks out here is “Godliness with Contentment is Great Gain” (1 Tim. 6:6). It is important to be content; and I look forward to this trip (WR) along with what will take place. And, it is fantastic to see others pursuing Godly relationships that the Lord has orchestrated and enjoying this night out together.
I have not been to the Isom Mine since the hike up there. However, I look back on this adventure fondly. Hopefully, I would love to go back there one day before the Race. But as I remember sitting on the bench, I also know that I am not truly alone. God is with me as well, and He is calling me out to serve the nations and reach the lost with the Good News of Jesus. What will take place there? I do not know yet… but there is a lot that will take place on this journey between now and 2021. Yet what will happen will occur on His timing and with His intent. And I am called to continue lifting my desires up to the Lord- even the deepest ones that surround such a big aspect of life; like marriage. Honoring God will make a huge difference in how things will play out in the years to come. Yet discovering the bench and remembering it symbolizes something beautiful that is yet to come- and something great that is also taking place today as well.
IF you are interested in checking out the mine, please feel free to view these links or message me:
http://mcrocks.com/ftr07/StreeterJanuary2007.html
https://www.hikingproject.com/symbol/7026188 (Lower Trail comes in from Private Land)
UPDATE 2-14-2020: Today, I have reached 1/3 of the fundraising goal for the World Race. Thank you all so much for your prayers and support, and I look forward to staying in touch as God launches me out into the field in a few months…
The Bench in the Wilderness; Isom Mine; Black Mountains, NC.
