Allow me to introduce you to Swaziland, the land of orange dirt and rolling mountains.
One mountain in particular is special to me. When we first arrived to Swaziland, our hosts told us they would take us for a hike up this mountain before our time was finished, but little did I know what God had in store for me on this mountain. I watched the sun rise over this mountain daily all during March. With my cup of instant coffee in hand, I’d walk a few steps outside, wave good morning to the passing students, and watch for a few minutes as the sun peaked its faithful head from behind that mountain. Day by day, I found myself following this same ritual as a way to posture my heart before sitting with the Lord for the morning.
The day had finally arrived; the day I could conquer this mountain I had already shared some of my favorite moments with. On our last day at 6:30 in the morning, a group of us loaded up in the back of a small white truck and set off for the base of the mountain where we would begin our trek. Our two new Swazi friends led us through their all too familiar trail up the mountain. I started out at the front of the group, but the taller people quickly overtook me. We were about twenty minutes in when Toban* let us know that we were only warming up and we had not even started up the steep mountain. In her peppiest Jess way, she turned around and looked at me to say, “Whew. Okay! That was only the warm up. Here we go! You ready?” To which I merely mumbled the only halfhearted yes I could muster up. I had no idea what I had suddenly gotten myself into.
As one can imagine, we quickly began the steep and steady uphill climb. Shamefully soon, my breaths were becoming short and heavy with my chest tightening under the pressure. Toban and I were attempting to hold conversation which really means I would periodically think of questions requiring a long-winded answer. Along the whole treacherous way up, Toban was steady encouraging me and sharing with me how hard his first time up the mountain was. He told me about former groups of racers who stopped about halfway and never made it to the top. My stubbornness was screaming “NO! We WILL go to the top!”, but my body was crying the exact opposite. So, along the way, Toban and I would take brief breaks. I admired the view on the way up while he desperately tried to show this directionally challenged gal where our team house was. My lovely friends, Bekah, Meggie, and Kristen, kept pace with us once they realized the struggle I was having. All these people who were selfless and kind enough to cheer me up this mountain and encourage me every step of the way, but loved me enough to not just let me stay where we stopped. Finally, Toban let me know we were only about five minutes away! The rest of the group had already made their way to victory when sweet Meggie came back to where Toban and I were to finish the rest of the journey with us.
Once we arrived at the top, we walked to where they thought the view was best. Like all hard things, boy, was it worth it?! I felt like Simba on the Lion King, “Everything the light touches is yours…” As these things go, we soaked it up by enjoying each other, taking pictures, and living the moment the best we knew how.
Then, just like that, our time at the top had come to an end and we began our descending journey. Of course, the way down was much easier. I could breathe, meaning I could casually chat with those around me all while keeping a steady pace. The way down was familiar and enjoyable, which was such a stark contrast from my difficult ascension. Toban stayed close for a while, but eventually sped up and went ahead of us. I didn’t need him right by my side this time.
This adventurous endeavor was such a paralleled journey to our different seasons of life and how the Lord walks us through the difficult seasons, enjoyable mountain tops, and simple paths He’s already walked us through before. Just like Toban was sure to stay by my side on the difficult climb up the mountain, Jesus does the same for us when we’re faced with a mountain of a journey—cancer, new job, weight loss, a step of faith. Just like my dear friends kept my pace once they realized my struggle, Jesus loves to surround us with people from the body of Christ who can uplift us and encourage us up the mountain. When we finally conquer that mountain, we get to celebrate with Jesus and the people He’s surrounded us with. Of course, the mountain tops never last as long as we’d selfishly like them to and we must come down. The way down is familiar. You’ve been here before. Jesus can lead the way reminding you of this place where you struggled and that place where you grew. And, what about this place where I loved you?
Mountains are beautiful in every way with their majestic peaks and mighty depth. The thing about mountains is they’re quiet and sometimes they sneak up on us with their tranquility. We find ourselves climbing to the top exhausted and drained wondering where God is. Until all of a sudden, we’ve made it to the top and God gives us another piece of His best for us only to remind us on the way down of all the ways He was already giving us His best while we were climbing to the top. Simply, reminding us of His faithfulness and never ending love.
You can’t have fulfilling victories and glorious mountain tops without the ups and downs. Embrace the change and conquer those beautifully sneaky mountains.
*name changed
