Climb Every Mountain

The title of this blog was also the title of a very loved song from The Sound of Music, when the Reverend Mother sang it to the VonTrapp family as they were about to escape from the Nazi's by walking over their local mountains into a safe country. The song though, didn't just speak of those Austrian Alps but also of the mountains they were facing as a family.

As I write, I'm sitting at a great vantage point of being able to view a lovely valley with mountains a little further on that seem to be stacked almost on top of each other from the foothills to the tallest of them...all sizes and shapes exhibiting their own unique beauty. What is there about mountains that draw people to them? Our local national park is the most visited national park in our nation. There is a peace here that people experience despite age or background.

People love mountains:

• they like to look at them and drive through them
• photographers go to them in droves hoping for the perfect shot
• folks love climbing mountain trails
• tourists love being inspired by mountain beauty
• families picnic in them and children splash in their streams
  

 

 

There is something mountains have in common no matter where you go in our country and yet they exhibit their own particular uniqueness depending on the area, such as:

• some mountains are bigger than others but are still mountains none the less
• many seem to overlap each other as you look at a range of them
• mountains, even foothills look to be insurmountable
• they may even appear ominous and intimidating
• all ranges have their own beauty and characteristics depending on location
• mountains are beautiful no matter the season
  

 

 

Mountains are frequently mentioned in Scripture. Many people of Scripture felt their own call to a mountain, always for purpose such as:

• Moses met God on Mt. Sinai as he received God's commands
• Noah's ark came to rest on Mt. Ararat
• Abraham was called to a mountain to sacrifice his son Isaac
• Jesus taught the most memorable of sermons from a mount and died on a hill
  

 

 

Whether standing on top of a mountain looking down or standing at the bottom of one looking up, one can get a kind of perspective of herself. From either vantage point, when it comes to mountains, we seem pretty small in the whole scheme of things.

I have learned in this life of mine, however, that there are other mountains you and I face that aren't associated with any national or state park. These are mountains that have different circumstances every time we are confronted with them. These mountains are also very individualized. In fact, their mountain names may sound pretty generic but they are still not the same from person to person. Some of those names might be:

• disease
• job loss
• debt
• drugs, alcoholism
• erring children
• breach in friendship
  

When it comes to these types of mountains, all of us are mountain climbers. They present themselves at the most inopportune times often leaving us winded, with little strength for overcoming a hill, let alone a mountain that stands before us.

There are some things I've noticed though regarding avid mountain climbers and difficult trail trekkers...some of those things are that these climbers and trekkers:

• rely on some kind of guidance be it verbal instructions or maps
• wear appropriate clothing
• take healthy, light weight foods
• carry canteens, usually drinking mostly water on the trail
• know when to rest, not pushing to the point of utter exhaustion
• take time along the way to contemplate and even meditate on the scenery around them.
  

 

 

The same must be true of we Christians who are facing mountains of any size. We are given guidance and instructions from the Word of God as well as godly encouragement from fellow Christians. We are clothed in the righteousness of Christ and have even been provided with the armor of God (Ephesians 6). We are to feed on God's precious Word knowing He also provides us with the water of life that will quench our thirst for the journey. We find our rest in Jesus. We also need to think and contemplate along the way as we see the mercy of God poured out upon us. Climbing our mountain can be compared to a regular hikers activity. During these times that are difficult, we need to eat even when we don't feel like it. Along with that we must stay hydrated. One of the most important things is to still get our physical rest during difficult days. We also need to be people of prayer and contemplation as we with God's help conquer whatever mountain stands before us.

We must remember with regard to any mountains large or small that we face in our lives, that mountains can also represent strength and power that inspires us. Mountains can be daunting, but can be inspiring beyond what words can explain. The Psalmist puts it so well in 121:1,2 (NASV) when he says:

I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;

From whence shall my help come?

My help comes from the Lord,

Who made heaven and earth.

No matter our mountain, we can look to our Great Creator who stands ready to help us with any mountain we face. We will never walk those difficult mountain trails alone without His help, encouragement and comfort.

Father...what a wonderful Creator You are...it is just beyond words. Even with all the power You have, You are still willing to stoop down to my every need. The problem mountains in my life become mole hills when I trust and rely on Your help and strength. Thank You for being who You are in my life. Amen