Climbing Mountains…

Climbing Mountains…

Hiking was one of the many things my husband and I loved to do together. If there was a trail nearby, we hiked it. When we traveled to another state, we hiked in some park. Whether it was the Appalachian Trail, Continental Divide, Yosemite, Yellowstone, Maine, Minnesota, Virginia, British Columbia, or Devil's Den in Arkansas, we have hiked there. It wasn't anything for me to gather everything together the night before for the next morning, head out to the trail before sunup, get out of the car at dawn, and hike until dusk or after. Mountains were no obstacle, just another hill to climb. With some health issues between the two of us, we are no longer able to do this and are saddened that part of our life has come to an end.

In life, mountains are inevitable. Climbing mountains seems to be a routine part of life. We reach for the first obstacle, grab on and begin to climb. Our life is filled with one hill, mountain, and valley after another. We are so trained to just go. Most of us are anyway. We just grab a branch and climb.

Look at my grandson in this photo. He puts his foot onto a ledge, grabs a hold and begins. That’s what we all do really, one foot and one hand after another. That’s what God asks, trust in Him and move. He doesn’t expect us to step back and say “I can’t. It’s too hard.” Joshua 1:9, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

There are times when I grab ahold and begin, then I feel my legs dangling and I can’t quite touch the ground anymore. My hand can’t reach the next hold. I’m stuck between feet dangling off the ground and moving forward. But, just like the photo, I have a support. You see, my grandson is not falling because he has a support. His feel can’t touch, his hand can’t reach, but he is not on His own. We are the same way. When we begin climbing our mountain, we don’t climb alone. Our support is surrounding us like the straps in the harness and we are secure in His embrace. Psalm 91:1-2, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”