From Hidden Wonder to Iconic Walk — Because One Man Believed Others Should See What He Saw
A Vision Carved in Stone
Tucked away in Switzerland’s breathtaking Bernese Oberland lies one of nature’s most captivating masterpieces: the Aare Gorge (Aareschlucht). This narrow chasm—formed by glacial meltwater over thousands of years—slices through towering limestone cliffs with dramatic force and beauty.
But while nature shaped it, it was human vision that revealed it to the world.
That vision belonged to Josef Michael Christen, a local innkeeper from Meiringen. In the late 1800s, at a time when few ventured into such rugged terrain, Christen saw more than a geological wonder. He saw potential. He saw the thrill, the beauty, and the joy others could experience if only a way were made.
In 1887, he made that vision reality—rallying support, raising funds, and overseeing the construction of wooden walkways suspended along the gorge walls. His dream wasn’t for personal gain—it was for others to enjoy what he had seen.
Walking in Wonder
Recently, Bernhard and I had the joy of walking through the Aare Gorge ourselves. It was absolutely exhilarating! The thunder of the river, the mist in the air, the immensity of the cliffs around us—it felt like we were walking through a secret passage of creation
And I couldn’t help but think of Christen—how his vision, hard work, and sacrifice carved out this experience for people like us, over a century later. He didn’t know our names. But he believed that others would come, and that they would walk with wonder.
Vision for the Future: Envisage Now
That walk stirred something deeply in my spirit. It reminded me that vision often starts small. It may not be understood at first. It may take years. But if it’s from God—it will speak in time.
“Write the vision and make it plain on tablets,
That he may run who reads it.
For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.”
—Habakkuk 2:2–3 (NKJV)
This scripture is close to our hearts at Envisage Now—because we believe that every act of obedience, every God-given dream, every faith-filled step matters.
We’re called to envisage now what God is preparing for the future. To carve paths for others. To create spaces of joy, encounter, and transformation—not just for ourselves, but for the generations to come.
A Question for You
What do you need to envisage now?
What vision is God placing on your heart—something that might take time, might require sacrifice, but could one day bring joy and wonder to many?
My prayer today is that you would be encouraged to keep walking, keep dreaming, and keep building. Because someone, someday, will walk in the beauty of what you’ve prepared.
