The other week, I joined in with a few of my teammates in an exercise program alternating between walking and running for a period of time. Essentially, each week you end up walking a little less and running a little more. No big deal, right. It just so happened that on this particular day, each time we came upon a hill, we were running. We were about ready to start our last section of running, and as we looked ahead we saw the last large hill along the path. Honestly, my initial thought was, “really, another one!” It would have been easy to complain about it or even switch our running and walking, so that it would be easier to make it to the top of the hill. Instead, as we were talking, we decided that we wanted to encourage each other and not stop running until we reached the very top.
The image of running up this last big hill is an appropriate analogy for the story of our lives. While recognizing the trials in our present life, how do we react to them? Life has its fair share of sufferings and trials, but such ‘affliction’ can be a path for the better in the end. Sure, it doesn’t come without its own set of challenges, but how many times do we as believers in Christ see the obstacles that stand in our way of reaching the top and decide to just give up? How many times do we stop half-way up the hill only to stay stationary, or fall backwards down the hill only to try again the next day (or possibly never)?
Not only is God at the top of life’s hill waiting for us, but He is also walking alongside of us each step of the way even with the obstacles that may slow us down. So next time you find yourself climbing up a hill in life, know that God is walking with you, but is also waiting at the top of the journey to share with you, love you and allow you the opportunity to experience the blessings that He has for you.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. –Hebrews 12:1
