The Promise
– A Thanksgiving Message.
Traveling across the state of Texas for photography is a privilege and something I enjoy immensely. The state is vast, with landscapes ranging from flat plains to rolling hills, and in the far west and southwest, towering mountains.
A Hill and a Thought
A couple of years ago, while driving through an exceptionally flat area of Texas, I noticed a hill in the distance. It wasn’t a large hill, but it stood out, visible from far away. For reasons I couldn’t explain, I thought to myself that the hill would be an excellent place for a large cross—a testimony to Jesus Christ, visible for miles around.
This past week, as I embarked on a trip to the Abilene area, the same thought returned. I wasn’t looking at a hill this time, yet the idea of placing a cross on a hill came to mind again, for no apparent reason. Thoughts like these can be a mystery.
Buffalo Gap and a New Discovery
My first planned stop was Buffalo Gap to visit its Historic Village. I arrived a couple of hours before closing and spent some time exploring. At the store, I met a wonderful person originally from the Cornwall area of England.
She shared stories of her home and we talked about the small towns of Texas in a historical context. As I prepared to leave for Abilene State Park to capture golden hour photos, she mentioned Tom Perini’s ranch, with quite the history, and famous for its steaks and ranch-style food. She said it was along my route to the park.
At the State Park, the lake was very low. I managed to find some autumn colors and took photos, but they weren’t spectacular—beautiful, yes, but not extraordinary.
As I left the park, I debated stopping by Perini Ranch. On trips like these, it’s not uncommon for me to grab a hot dog and a drink from a convenience store for a meal. Normally, I don’t indulge in lavish meals, but I thought, It’s dinner time, I’m here, and when will I ever be back in this area? Had it not been for the kind woman in Buffalo Gap, I wouldn’t have even known about it.
That meal was about the same cost as my hotel room for the night. The food was fantastic alongside a glass of Pinot Noir. In Abilene, at my hotel room, I gave thanks to God for this beautiful day.
Morning in Abilene
The next morning, I explored downtown Abilene, photographing its buildings and streets. Like any major town, it has its share of homeless individuals. As I walked the streets in the early hours, I saw them waking up, having spent the night outside.
The contrast struck me deeply. The night before, I had dined lavishly in a famous steakhouse and slept comfortably in a modest hotel. These people, by comparison, likely hadn’t had a warm meal or restful sleep in days. It was gut-wrenching to witness.
It made me reflect on the challenges of giving thanks in difficult circumstances. While I had been grateful for my evening, others were struggling just to get through another day.
The Cross on the Hill
From Abilene, I traveled back through Buffalo Gap, and stumbled upon the ghost town of Bradshaw on my way to Wingate. From there, I visited Blackwell and Bronte before heading toward Ballinger.
As I neared Ballinger, I noticed something remarkable: off in the distance, beyond the town, stood a massive cross on a hill. It was just like the one I had imagined at the start of my journey.
After visiting Ballinger, I made my way to the cross. There were no plaques or grand markers explaining who had built it or why. When I looked it up later, I learned it was nearly 100 feet tall and 70 feet wide.
Seeing the cross stirred something within me. It reminded me of the promise of Jesus Christ—His sacrifice and the eternal life offered to those who believe.
Reflections on Life and Thanksgiving
Photography is more than capturing images for me; it’s an opportunity to travel, reflect, and connect with life’s deeper truths. As humans, we are unique among all creatures on Earth. We have the capacity for great good, but we also stumble, falter, and sin.
Jesus Christ died for us because of our unique struggles. Unlike all other creatures, who live as they were created, we face the reality of making mistakes every day through our choices. Christ’s sacrifice is a testament to his love for us and his desire for our redemption.
As I gave thanks for my meal the night before, I woke to the realization that many others might not have a meal or a place to sleep. This thought, along with the sight of the cross, brought me back to the heart of Thanksgiving.
The True Promise
This Thanksgiving, for the first time in decades, I won’t be with family. As I reflect on this, I’m reminded of those who face similar or greater hardships—those who won’t have a warm meal or the comfort of loved ones around them.
Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth…” His words offer hope to those in need and a reminder to all of us to be grateful, even in our struggles.
Jesus never made promises: He gave us his word. And unlike us, his word is unchanging and eternal. For me, his word is greater than any promise.
Thanksgiving shouldn’t be confined to a single day. It should be a daily practice. No matter our circumstances, we can give thanks for the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
The ability to travel and photograph the beauty of Texas is a blessing I cherish deeply. While I will miss my family this Thanksgiving, I find comfort in remembering why we truly give thanks: for the promise of eternal life and the love of a Savior who keeps his word.
Author: Tim Maxwell – November 27th, 2024
