IF YOU HAVE EVER BEEN HIKING, then you know going up is the hardest part. I have been hiking in snow and heat and no matter what the weather, you are going to get hot, sweaty, sore calves and even difficulty breathing hiking up to the top. I guess about a year ago, four of us ladies decided to go hike a trail called “Mailbox Peak”
. I was doing great on the switchbacks. Then we came to an opening at the top and to a bunch of rocks and rock steps. I was bounding up the steps because I thought that the summit was at the top of these steps. NOPE. I got to the top of the steps, and the worst part of this hike was ahead of us. “The switchbacks continue for about 5 miles, before rejoining the old trail at elevation 3860 feet for your final push to the summit.
This last push consists of 960 feet of elevation gain in half a mile–hopefully the approach warmed you up for the final assault! If your energy flags, remember what views await you at the summit.” (excerpt from the Washington state trails site). The trail is a little over 11 miles round trip. Now, I was not out of energy at this point, I’m in great cardio vascular health. HOWEVER, I hate heights and this last 960 feet was almost vertical. I had to keep my head down and watch my feet, and keep plugging. I even used my hands at this point. It was very scary for me. Switchbacks I can do all day long, but climbing straight up on a side of a mountain makes my head spin.
I wanted to turn back, but I didn’t want to quit.
When I say I hate heights, I mean it gives me huge panic and anxiety. Here’s where training the flesh kicks in: do it afraid.
This is life.
I think sometimes it’s just easier to stay down in the valley of the shadow of death instead of climbing up that mountain. We can get comfortable in the valley because that mountain looks too hard to climb! The air gets thin and it’s difficult to breath the higher up you go. Sweat is dripping in your eyes. Your legs are screaming at you to stop. But you can’t. You have to reach the mountain top.
The way opens up only to reveal a tougher and steeper climb. You want to quit, but you know you can’t quit because God has a blessing for you up there. The promise is at the top. You will be able to see clearly what God has been doing and why it’s taken so long and has been so difficult. All your pain will be worth it. You DO NOT WANT TO MISS what He has for you at the top.
Psalms 120-134 are called “Songs of Ascents” or “Steps”. Israel would sing these as they pilgrimaged up to Jerusalem for sacred feasts to remind them of God’s faithfulness along their journey.
“In my distress, I cried unto the Lord”
“I will lift up my eyes unto the hills, from where my help comes from”
“Our help is in the name of the Lord”
“They that trust in the Lord shall not be moved”
“The LORD has done great things for us and we are glad”
“Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD and walks in His ways”
“I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His Word so I hope”
Get the picture? As you are making your pilgrimage and the air gets difficult to breathe- remind yourself of God’s faithfulness. You’ve come too far to go back down. You have to keep heading up that mountain, even if it’s scary, even if you are tired and weary and have little strength. Maybe you haven’t even reached the most difficult part of the climb, sometimes you have to encourage yourself in the Lord’s goodness and keep climbing. Walk with some friends who will pray for you and help you get up that mountain.
Don’t quit.
Do it afraid.
Press through the pain.
You are almost there.
You are almost there.
To Learn More About Pastor Crystal please visit the Leadership Page
