Mountains, often times, are a representation of struggle. Of an ominous challenge in our path. We make statements like “there is a mountain in my way.” Or, “with enough faith I can move this mountain.” Some of us even “make a mountain out of a molehill.”
The common idea behind all of these statements is that mountains are a bad thing. Until we make it to the top!
On our first Saturday in Quito, my team decided to hike Pichincha, a local volcano. We left early that morning, lunches packed, plenty of water, and a lot of excitement for the day ahead of us. We took a bus to a park at the base of the mountain. As I stood there, looking up at this daunting mass of earth, I knew I had made a huge mistake.
My North Carolina lungs are not used to high altitudes. Up to this point, just living in Quito, at 9,000 ft. had been a challenge. But now, I was attempting to climb 5,000 ft. more, up a VOLCANO! What was I thinking?
We started our hike strong, together as a team. It didn’t take long for us to realize there were some serious differences between us. The two girls on my team from Colorado were smiling and laughing, and running (literally running!!) ahead. I, on the other hand, was at the tail end of the group, struggling to breathe. Looking back now, I realize I may have been a bit dramatic, but at the time I was completely sincere. As I climbed, I prayed that the Lord would some how provide me with just a bit more oxygen, or maybe make the hill I was climbing a little less steep. I know it seems pretty funny, but I didn’t think I was going to make it up that mountain.
At one of my lowest points on that hike, my beautiful teammate Kylee walked up beside me and reminded me of Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. As I finished my climb, I realized just how dependent I was on His strength. I knew there was no way I could have made it to the top without Him. But, He had something amazing waiting for me once I got there.
From the top of the mountain, I looked out over the city, and I could see most of Quito. I sat on the ground, overwhelmed and in tears. GOD IS ENORMOUS! As I sat there looking out over the city, I thought of all the millions of people there, and how each one of them are different and each one was perfectly created by God.
Then, the Lord expanded my view. He allowed me to see that Quito is just one tiny dot in His miraculous creation. I was blown away and humbled that He would call me to be His hands and feet. That He would want me to spread His word. I felt inadequate, but at the same time empowered, because I realized that it is not by my strength that I do anything, but by His strength alone.
Psalm 125:2 says As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.
God is all around us. He is goes before us, behind us, beside us, and lives within us. He knows what mountains we face and gives us strength to climb them.
