I climbed a mountain.....

I climbed a mountain this week. Yes, an actual mountain in South Dakota... Actually the highest one east of the Rockies and west of the Pyrenees (in Europe)! To reach the summit of Harney Peak, it was about a 6mi hike up a 1,100ft elevation climb, which for this out of shape, Texas girl was quite challenging. It took almost 5 hrs (there was a really cool, old fire lookout station at the top). That much walking gives time for a person to think and reflect. For me, it was enough time to develop a metaphor of sorts.....

As Christians, our lives are directed by God. I think that, many times, life with Him consists of "mountain climbs" that we must make in order to be taught something. Now, I'm not referring to a spiritual "mountain top" metaphor about being "high" on the Spirit... This is a different thought altogether. ;)

I believe that God is constantly teaching us and shaping us into the person He knows we are. I think that, like a mountain climb, it can be really challenging for us to get to the "point" of what He is trying to teach us because we are so focused on the strenuousness of the climb. On this hike, I had the advantage of knowing what was at the top of the mountain... What I was climbing toward. Whenever I thought I was about to die, I would remember that I wanted to see the tower at the top. Many times we do not have the advantage of seeing what God is trying to teach us until we get to the top. Occasionally, like on that hike, we can turn a corner on the path and see a portion of the "point." Those glimpses can be encouraging to us to keep going. 

Sometimes it is a long climb, other times a shorter one. Sometimes it is a steep climb, other times a slow grade. Many times we complain most of the way. Sometimes we travel a little ways with others, sometimes we simply pass them on the way up. Sometimes we stop for a break, but we must never give up. 

A point I will need to think more on is whether we can, in fact, give up and never reach the "point" where God is trying to take us. Perhaps a later blog entry... If I figure that one out. ;)

Anyway, that is what I learned on my hike... Oh, and that I need to get into shape before my next mountain climb....