MADE FOR THE MOUNTAIN!

As we ascended the 3,760 foot high mountain road on our way up to Weimea Canyon in Kauai, Hawaii some years ago, my wife and I stopped at a few places to look at souvenirs and confirm directions. This canyon is known as "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific." It is a geological wonder in Hawaii. At the few places we pulled over for directions to the mountaintop, we received the same instruction, "Go higher". This reminds me of some very valuable lessons I have learned regarding my spiritual journey with Jesus. First, I have discovered that we do have mountains to climb in our spiritual life! Secondly, I have been reminded those mountains are meant to be climbed, not to be avoided! In Jesus, we have been made for the Mountain!

Sometimes we use the term "mountain" to describe our spiritual victories. (I strongly encourage you to read the two recent blogs I wrote titled "GOD IS STILL GOD. . .EVEN. . .!" for in those I define the word "mountain" in spiritual terms.) The term "mountain" also denotes spiritual challenges, difficulties, adversities, and even seemingly insurmountable problems. It is this use of the term "mountain" that I want to address in this blog, because this is the "mountain" that we, as followers of Jesus, are made to climb. Elvis Presley sang a song with these lyrics: "Oh, this time, Lord you gave me a mountain, A mountain I may never climb. It isn't a hill any longer, You gave me a mountain this time." You may be feeling this is your situation right now. But keep reading, for you may need to realize that God made you to climb this mountain!

It is true that I love the mountains! They are rugged, steep, majestic and beautiful! They are good reminders of my spiritual life. I honestly believe that God created and equipped us to climb. The Apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote, "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14). He could have said, "I press on in climbing the mountain(s) to obtain the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus". The Lord has a purpose for each one of His followers, but it will seldom be discovered in the lowlands or plateaus of this life. To find God's purpose for us and to fulfill His calling on our lives, we must scale the mountain(s) and move ever higher in relationship with and obedience to Him! One of our life's goals must be to echo Paul, who said, "I press on (go higher) so that I may lay hold of (grasp onto) that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:12). We need to be "MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS" even when the climbing involves distress, perplexity, challenge and difficulty!

David was another man who understood the concept of going higher spiritually, fully realizing that he was created by God to scale the mountain of adversity, fear, disappointment and un-certainty! It was during one of the most savage experiences of his life that he reached the high point of trust, obedience and dedication in his relationship with God. For many years, he was on the run, hiding in the wilderness from King Saul who desired to kill him. The psalms he wrote in those years are filled with imagery of his experiences in the strongholds of the mountains. David wrote, "He (God) makes my feet like hind's (deer) feet, and sets me upon my high places (mountains)" (Psalm 18:33). "Hind's feet" symbolizes divine strength, agility, and sure-footedness to navigate difficult life challenges and spiritual "high places" without falling. When climbing those steep, rocky cliffs, the hind places its rear feet in the exact spots where its front feet just stepped. Thus, this precision grants extraordinary stability, allowing the animal to scale treacherous, vertical terrain with grace and speed. As God created deer to climb mountains, so He has ordained you and me to scale the difficult mountains in our life. In Scripture, we see God gives His people "hind's feet" meaning He supplies the inner strength, courage and grace to be victorious over suffering, chaos, or fear rather than removing the obstacle instantly (like we wish He would do)! We know God has equipped every true believer in Jesus with spiritual "feet" that are perfectly suited for higher or mountainous climbing in His very presence and purpose. We are all created to climb, but the question is, will we risk leaving the comforts of the lowlands?

We must move to higher ground to fulfill the Lord's purpose in and through our lives. All it takes to live in the valley of comfort with the absence of adversity, challenge, difficulty, etc., is a flat unwillingness to surrender to God. Have you posted a "No Trespassing" sign over any area of your life? Are you living for your comfort, ease, pleasure and selfish desires, plans and goals, instead of the Lord's purpose? The lowlands are filled with Christians who have settled for a safe existence rather than the challenges of following Christ UP the Mountain of His Will! Some have started to ascend the mountain, but then stopped partway up. They have been staying on a comfortable and safe plateau ever since.

I read the account of a man who visited the Lebanese Mountains with 40 other people. Upon arriving at the foot of them only twenty-six wanted to climb the mountain ahead of them, but the rest chose to stay at the bottom to enjoy some refreshments. As the group ascended the mountain, they stopped for a breather and to gather their strength for the remainder of the climb. It was there that twenty-two of them decided they had climbed far enough. They wanted to stay on the plateau to rest. Now, only four climbers wanted to proceed to the top of the mountain. At the summit, feeling a sense of accomplishment and exhileration, the four took pictures, enjoyed the snow, threw snowballs and laughed. When those four finally came down and rejoined the others, it was noted that those who had not gone to the top were not as excited about the expedition as those who had reached the top. In fact, they showed no enthusiasm at all. They had chosen comfort and safety and missed the joy! The lesson here is: Abundant life comes only to those who move UP and out of their comfort zone to climb higher with God! There will be struggles, discomfort, pain, adversity, trouble and uncertainty, but the outcome will be well worth it!

Climbing those mountains of adversity and challenge requires bold faith! One of the reasons why many followers of Jesus resist climbing higher with the Lord is because of the risks involved. They may feel inadequate, fearful of being humiliated or of failure, and of being vulnerable, etc. Climbing with God always stretches our faith; not faith in ourselves but FAITH IN JESUS! Professional mountain climbers know how to tackle vertical clifts. They anchor their ropes into the rock, push off and swing out into midair to reach their next foothold. The same principle applies to followers of Jesus in scaling the cliffs of adversity, disappointment, disallusionment, and discouragement. We must tie ourselves to Jesus, fully assured that He will guide, direct and accompany us to the top of the Mountain. For after all, God created us to climb with Him!

What I want you to realize is that traveling with God is the most valuable, life-changing, eternally rewarding pursuit in this life; nothing compares! He will be with you every step higher you take, He will pick you up when you stumble, provide for you in times of weakness, and encourage you when you need it. Scaling the mountain in His power and strength, will enable you to finish your ascent to the top, and when you are finally home in heaven, you will be greeted with His blessing "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord" (Matthew 25:23).

Sunday Drive sings a Southern Gospel Song written by Joel Lindsey, Donna King and Jeff Treece that fits with this blog so well. Here are the lyrics:

"Wherever I go, one thing I know, Jesus is always with me. When mountains are high and valleys are wide, He will be there to help me through. Grace will lead me upward every time, MOUNTAINS ARE MADE TO CLIMB!

So I'll climb and I'll climb, 'Cause I know He'll make a way for me, He's mine, yes, He is mine. And I am trusting where He's taking me. There's no height that I can't scale. His promises, they never fail! When I reach the top, I always find, MOUNTAINS ARE MADE TO CLIMB!

I gotta have faith, 'cause that's what it takes, To keep these feet from straying. The shadows will come to hide the sun, but I won't let them make me blue. A nail-scarred hand has always been my guide, MOUNTAINS ARE MADE TO CLIMB!

The higher the mountain, the bigger the dream. There's joy when we get there and joy in between.

Oh MOUNTAINS ARE MADE TO CLIMB; MOUNTAINS ARE MADE TO CLIMB!

Yes, Mountains are made to climb! So are you climbing, reaching for the top? YOU WERE MADE FOR THE MOUNTAIN!