The Angle of Repose

Believe it or not, I have been thinking about the Angle of Repose.

Most of us have no idea what the Angle of Repose is - an engineering definition of "steepest slope angle at which a particular sediment will lie without cascading down.












You may still not understand that description, but you can see examples of it all around...

Some man made examples are:



The gravel slopes on the sides of the freeways, engineered to remain stable;





the piles of rock materials being separated and graded in a working aggregate mine;




corn, wheat and other grains stored in open bunkers;



and open coal storage mounds.

You can even make your own simple example by pouring out a little pile of salt or sugar on the table. The crystals will form a little pyramid with evenly sloped sides.
That, my friend, is the Angle of Repose!





So now your mind is saying, "Oh, of course I know what the Angle of Repose is!"
Without knowing the scientific exacts of the principle, you can recognize it.


You also see examples in God's own nature:

Scree, also called talus, is a term given to an accumulation of broken rock fragments at the base of crags, mountain cliffs, or valley shoulders;






and of course that beautiful slope of fresh snowfall every skier longs for!

!!!DANGER!!!

But there is also danger in this Angle of Repose! The delicate balance that has been achieved can be quickly disturbed and the "Repose" destroyed! One must journey carefully, or the entire slope comes sliding down! Usually with devastating results!

An avalanche sends crushing tons of snow thundering down the mountain. The roaring cascade uproots trees and boulders in its path and buries any structures and humans along the way. Total destruction!


Tree roots growing through a bank destroys the slope and a railroad track is obscured. The mighty Iron Horse is literally stopped in its tracks!

Rain soaked soils no longer maintain adhesion and homes slide down the hill. Dreams and lives in ruin...

Whether the cause is nature or man made, the loss of the Angle of Repose is a devastating fall! The same is true in our everyday life.

The term also seems to suggest to me a tranquil and calm place in our lives.

We are peaceful in our own Angle of Repose. We rest comfortably where everything seems to be in balance. Then something occurs to upset that delicate balance ~

we lose a loved one; a relationship ends; we're down-sized out of a job; severe financial troubles;
a medical condition; unexpected news that leaves us sliding quickly down a slippery slope!

Isn't it comforting to know that God will restore us to an "Angle of Repose"? It's true! The promises are found throughout His Word. Here are just a few:

Psalm 62: 5 – 8
Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge

Psalm 37: 7
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him;

Matthew 11:29
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Isaiah 54:10

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

Many, many promises to return us to our Angle of Repose! That's pretty powerful stuff! Thank you, God of Peace and Repose! We can truly rest assured in your love and peace!

And that's what I've been thinking about the Angle of Repose.