Every Mountain’s Worth the Climb

“God doesn’t give you a mountain to climb without providing a summit to enjoy the view.”

— Ron Wilbur

There are many in life that blame God for their circumstances, not recognising their personal responsibility or the responsibilities of the people they care about in adjusting to situations that occur throughout the world every day. We cannot explain the suffering that occurs in our world, other than to know that it is a broken world we are part of. But there is always a response we can make in making life better.

Indeed, God has decreed, from even before time began, that where we respond in faith that he can make good out of any circumstance.

From the base of each mountain that represents the challenge before us we have a choice. Do we become depressed or angry about the mountain, or do we see it as a unique opportunity to grow through the challenge? That is, to risk enough to see life from a vantage point where the sweeping views of God are serene.

The views from the summit are obviously spectacular.

But we must initiate the journey. And we need to continue the climb.

All That Is in Leaving Behind & Forging Ahead

If truth would be told, we may have two fears in taking the journey, as we consider it from base camp in the arduous valley.

The first fear is leaving behind what we may not feel we can let go of. We shudder at the thought and may feel guilty. We may know in part of ourselves that letting go is the only way. Yet, the tensions exist; it is easier to hold on than let go.

We cannot take the initial steps toward the mountain, and embark upon the incline, unless we let go and continue to let go. It doesn’t mean forgetting or betraying sweet memories; it is simply about opening up to new life again.

The second fear is just as gripping. We worry about forging ahead and what challenges lie in front of us; there is a fear of failure.

These are reasonable fears that everyone experiences. The truth is, as we step forth with God on an unknown journey, God provides the exact resources we need, equipping us just in time. And what is the cost of failing when we are trying?

Failure simply makes us stronger and more tenacious about reaching the summit.

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Life is hard in that it provides mountain challenges for us to ascend. When we refuse to climb life gets worse. But when we make the climb, confronting our fears, we find God equips us with exactly what we need. God is faithful; the view is worth the climb.

© 2013 S. J. Wickham.