Mountains to Climb

When you feel like you have a mountain to climb in life, remember that it is the Lord who goes before you. He is not only the mountain mover, but He is also an expert mountain climber and skilled travel guide. You have nothing to fear.

All along the way, when our legs are shaky and we can’t see the path ahead of us, He is saying, “It’s okay, I Am with you. Do not be afraid. Just take this one step of faith. Okay, now put your other foot here…”

When we have climbed with Him a little way, He smiles His big smile and says, “Great job! Now take twenty steps along this path. It’s okay, don’t worry. I’m still here.”

As our confidence grows, even as we have maybe taken a few steps forward and a few steps back, He looks us square in the eyes and says, “Now run this mile as fast as you can! Go, go, go!!!”

After the exhilaration of that quick pace, we may think we’ve made it to the finish line! Time to celebrate! But sometimes we celebrate too early when we have really only just begun.

In those moments, when it’s time to buckle down and find a new level of self-discipline, He says, “Okay, you have done well to this point, but we still have a long way to go. Now find a steady pace and travel the path I will show you for the next year… or two years… or five years…”

“My purpose is simply that you stay on this path. Be faithful to this path. Do not quit, do not sit down, just keep putting one foot in front of the other until I tell you to stop.”

“And don’t forget to keep your eyes on Me. I’ll be with you all the way.”

We may be overwhelmed at first, but when we are faithful to follow Him, we will be surprised to find small treasures along the way…

• Endurance.
• Increased faith and confidence.
• Increased creativity.
• Strength to overcome.

And then, like tools gently placed in our hands, we find…

• Patience we never had before.
• Joy in every circumstance.
• Peace that passes understanding.

As we continue along with the Lord, times of testing will come. The path will get steep and treacherous once again, as it often does on this journey of life. In those moments, as we have faithfully gathered our treasures and tools, and learned to place our trust in Him, He again takes our hand and says, “Careful now. This part of the road is dangerous. Just take this one step.”

“Good. Okay, now put your other foot here. Do not be afraid. I Am with you.”

And the journey continues…

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Friend, no matter what you are facing today, you can do this with His help. However long you have been on this same journey, whatever hardship you have had to endure along the way, do not give up hope. This is your one life! Don’t sit down on yourself. Don’t sit down on the dreams the Lord has given you… on the calling and purpose He prepared for you before you were even born. He saw you then, He sees you now… and He is with you. Never forget that!

Do not shun the journey just because it’s hard. Remember there is treasure to be found in it! Treasure set aside just for you by the One who knows you best, and gives you exactly what you need.

Today is the day to stand back up and get moving once again. Yes, He is the mountain mover… but oh the JOY of friendship with God when we have walked with Him over hills and down into valleys… through rivers and deserts and paths in the wilderness… and up, up, up the very steep mountains only to find that He has been with us all along, strengthening us… encouraging us… shining a light on the path before us… and setting our feet upon the Rock, who is Christ Jesus.

Somewhere along the way, maybe after we have been on the road with the Lord for quite some time, we will see that we have become an expert mountain climber in His hands, a skilled travel guide who can show others the way, as well. And that was His plan from the beginning.

I look up to the mountains—
    does my help come from there?
² My help comes from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth!

³ He will not let you stumble;
    the one who watches over you will not slumber.
⁴ Indeed, he who watches over Israel
    never slumbers or sleeps.

⁵ The Lord himself watches over you!
    The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
⁶ The sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon at night.

⁷ The Lord keeps you from all harm
    and watches over your life.
⁸ The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
    both now and forever.

Psalm 121:1-8 NLT