The Ascent
I thought I had lost sight of that most beautiful valley, but as I follow the unknown road it takes a turn back into the valley. This time the road isn’t down in the valley but rather on the side of the valley. The Lord continues to lead me up the side of the valley. Up and up We travel and the road begins to get rocky, narrow, and steep until it is nothing but a small footpath, yet the valley remains in view. I can see the beautiful fields, vineyards, and orchards, the farmhouses and little white churches, and my friends and family. The Lord has allowed me not completely leave the valley behind, He has allowed me to look down upon it and say my goodbyes to that most beautiful valley. The valley isn’t the only thing in my view, I can also see the path is the distance. The path in the distance is very steep and full of roadblocks and detours as the mountain peak nears. As I journey onwards towards the mountain peak, I begin to get tired and weary. I feel the pulsing pain in my legs, the pounding rhythm of my heart, and the shortness of breath in my lungs. I quickly question why the Lord is leading me up the mountain that I am not physically prepared to ascend. As He urges me along I realize that am also not mentally or spiritually prepared to ascend the mountain. I begin to reach the end of myself, when the Lord reminds me to deny myself and fully followHim and love the Lord my God with all my heart, all my soul, and all my mind. It is not I who lives my Christ who lives in me. The path will get hard and I won’t be able to traverse the peak myself; I need the Lord my God to guide me up the mountain. Nevertheless, the footpath continues upwards and I get a glimpse of what is to come: the view, but I also reminded that in order to see the view I must summit the mountain peak.
