Mountain Climb

Musings from the Garden

By Peggy Wyar

 Not so long ago I heard a narrative about two options for reaching the top of a mountain. One option is to climb up the side of the mountain until you reach the summit. The other is to hire a helicopter to take you. Either way you reach the top. If you had chosen to take a helicopter, you might have trouble breathing as you stand on the summit. Your body did not have time to acclimate to the altitude.

 If you chose to do the climb, your body would get adjusted to the altitude change gradually. Breathing may be problematic, but not nearly as troublesome as if you had traveled by helicopter. Plus, your sense of accomplishment would probably be heightened after the long, strenuous climb. You worked to get to the summit; you expended effort, experienced discomfort, and maybe even got injured along the way. You “earned’ reaching the peak because of your perseverance.

 We often think we should take the quick and easy way to accomplish our goals. No blood, no sweat, no tears…but, without the effort, what do we really gain?

 As believers, we would be wise to look at the example Jesus left for us. In Luke 22:41-44 we read that when faced with death on a cross, Jesus experienced agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. His sweat mingled with drops of blood as He cried out to His Father for a change of plans. He eventually did offer up His body as a payment of debt for the sin for mankind, but not without a struggle.

 In John 19-20 we read about the final part of His journey to the summit of Calvary. In this part of the climb, Jesus suffered flogging and mocking by the soldiers. Wearing a twisted crown of thorns, He carried His cross to the summit of His planned execution. Once He was raised from the dead by the power of God, He achieved the pinnacle of Redemption’s goal - reconciliation for all who believe and receive His hard-earned salvation.

 Last month a lot of the world celebrated the birth of Emmanuel - God with Us. I am so grateful He doesn’t stop being with us after the Christmas decorations are put away. This journey of ours that takes us through valleys and up to mountain peaks is never traveled alone. The One who leads and guides us understands the challenges of the climb and the joy of completion. We can trust him to never leave us on our own.

 Hebrews 13:5-6 

“….be content with what you have, because God has said,

“Never will I leave you;
  never will I forsake you.” 

So, we say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
  What can mere mortals do to me?”