“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."
I took a walk this morning in the clear warm 10,000 foot high air of Russell Gulch, Colorado. I walked the horse trails on the old mine roads of the O'Rourke property and above till I got to what's sometimes called the 'Skeleton', but is more accurately known as the 'Jefferson', a mine shaft, or head, building with one of the largest and most impressive steel frameworks left standing in Colorado.
The owners of this mine were going down super deep and wanted to open a shaft to all levels to send the miner's cage down and up in record time. They thought their mine would last a hundred years or more so they built it's entrance building to last at least as long. And at least the skeleton of it has.
But the mine did not. Falling gold values, harder to reach ore, flooded or collapsed tunnels and the simple expense of crushing the expensive quartz ore ended the boom just decades after it began. Though some mines held on for decades more eking out some profit, all were closed before the beginning of World War 2.
I took many pictures on my walk. And I took them from many angles. How fascinating this huge work of man. Pennsylvania Steel formed the beams and buttresses. Chicago engines drove the cables that lowered and raised each shift of men. Bricks made locally were said to hold a minimal amount of gold dust in each since the area was so rich in gold the very clay contained it.
As I was just preparing to head back down the mountain I looked at the foot of one of the heavy stone walls which still held the steel upright. It was there that I saw the testament of time which spoke most to me.I do not know in which sod the makers of this building rest, nor the uses to which their profits from this mine were put. But I do know that the rocks at the rear of this photo have fallen from their massive wall. I know that the fine steel they paid a high price for to bring up into this high valley is rusted beyond recognition. And I know that the brick, thought to have encased some amount of gold dust has lasted no longer than any other.
The tiny tree now growing from the ground just beside the deteriorating brick today has more value than the entire building above and behind it. The buildings use is exhausted, but the tree will provide oxygen, animal homes, and shade for generations to come.
We all place value on temporal things. And there is value in all things for God has made all things to be valued. Sadly, we often place too little value on the things God values most.
So if you will allow me this metaphor, do not place your dependence on the gold or the steel of this world. Place your trust in the God who can make trees grow where man has taken all he once valued away.
I THINK that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
Joyce Kilmer - written about the time this mine was soon to be closed.
-Pastor Ken
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