Father God, I love you with all my heart and I am forever grateful for having You as my Father. You believe in me, You love me unconditionally and for that I give every part of my life to You. Jesus Christ, thank You for being my Saviour and my best friend. No one knows me like You do. Holy Spirit, I need more of You in my life and therefore I choose to be closer to You so that God’s will for my life is revealed through You. Amen!
Second month into 2016 and one realise how fast time goes by. New year, new dreams and new challenges. In my first article for the year, I wrote about how I experience that 2016 is going to be a year of excitement. Now excitement holds its own share of challenges as well. In this article I would like to talk about climbing the mountains set out on route for you in 2016 and beyond.
I am no mountain climber but have enjoyed some nature walks taking me to the top of a cliff or mountain. Furthermore, looking at documentaries on mountain climbing it is very clear that although it holds the thrill of excitement when you reach the top, it involves a great amount of planning and commitment to reach the top. You need to have the right gear, monitor the weather, read a map, have sufficient water, be fit and healthy, have a strong will, good communication skills and the skill to work well in a team. The day is planned in advance and with early light, you are packed and ready to go. You normally have a person taking the lead, obviously the one with more experience. Some mountains are climbed in a day, others take a few days to reach the top. Any climb, although enjoyed, does take its toll on the body and one needs to stop and rest, take in water and keep the motivation going.
I’m sure no first climber sets off to climb the toughest and highest mountain as their first choice. They start with the smaller ones, sometimes not very high but rewarding in what nature has to offer along the way. As they progress in their climbing, they tackle tougher and higher mountains as part of their goal to add one more to their list of success. Scratches, sunburn, hurting muscles and many emotions is what many experience along the way to the top. However, standing at the top, taking in the breathtaking view of God’s magnificent creation, leaves one speechless and humble. No photos and no words can express what you see and feel at that moment and it is locked in, for the rest of your life.
Although a highlight in your life, you can’t stay at the top forever. You have to go down at some point in order to start the climbing process all over again. What is interesting is that the time spent at the top is much less than what it took to get there. In some way, going down is quicker and easier, perhaps for having better visibility of where you need to go.
Dear reader, I am sure by now you are getting the message that I am trying to communicate to you. Our life involves climbing different mountains. We grow up in life, facing toddler, teenage and young adult years. Once an adult we have not matured life in knowing everything but we learn and grow daily till God takes us home. In that journey, we see, hear, choose, make mistakes, grow, cry and laugh. We become experienced in many ways so that we can coach, mentor and empower others on life’s journey. My dad is 81 years old and I learn so much of life from him. He shared with me how he had to leave school at the age of 14 to go and work at the railways. He was just a boy, but had to leave home and work as a man to help provide for his family. He has climbed many mountains, reached many tops and had many descends. From his testimony it is very clear that every time he climbed, he grew stronger in character and faith. He acknowledged that in many instances it was very hard and that he would not have made these journeys without God by his side.
Where are you on life’s journey? Take some time and reflect back on the mountains you have had to climb. There has been hardships going up the hill, but do you remember the moment you reached the top, the moment you received the reward for your faith? It was and still today, is priceless.
Life is throwing so many challenges at us and if we are in Christ, even more so. You will have to climb mountains for that is just how life’s journey goes. However, remember that you should not be doing this alone. Christ should be the team leader. Allow Him to direct you, plan well, be prepared for the scratches, sunburn and hurting muscles. Stay fit and healthy, make the right choices and set off climbing the mountains in your life, without fear. You will not always have clear vision of where you are going, but that is why Christ should be in front. You will have to trust Him as you go up. You might not understand and your foot might slip. Rocks might fall on you, and you might feel like you will never reach the top. It is normal to feel like that but keep your focus and trust in God and I assure you, you will reach the top and will taste the sweetness of the reward.
Dear reader. As you set off to climb the mountains set out for you in 2016 and beyond, make sure that Jesus Christ is your Saviour and team leader. You simply cannot do this without Him. There will be difficult times and there will be times when God will be silent with you not seeing the way, nor understanding His reason. Don’t take your focus off Him. He sees ahead of you where you have never been. Trust Him unconditionally and if your foot slips, He will catch you. He knows that life is no piece of cake. He became man and lived an ordinary life, facing the same challenges that we are facing. He too, had to climb mountains.
As you climb the mountain of life, there will be highs and lows. You might feel like you will never reach the top as you keep slipping downward. However, remember, even if your foot slips, you will only land on a solid Rock again, if you have Jesus as your Saviour. He is your rock and that means that even if you fall, you will never ever die! Get up, and climb again for all you need is God, a clear goal and climbing faith. You even have a security and safety policy with payment made in full by the blood of Jesus Christ. He is your security.
Once you have reached the top, write your experiences down so that you can reflect on it as you climb the next mountain. Write down what happened during your climb, not just the view from the top after reaching success. Also include the process of descend for the whole package contributed to the victory. You will be needing the whole package to help you in climbing the next mountain as well as to render advice and assistance to others as they climb their own mountains. Also remember, in some instances we climb as a team, for God works in our lives simultaneously and therefore we are connected to each other. Count your steps wisely as they may affect the others climbing with you.
Here are some Bible references that you can read and use on your mountain climbing journeys:
Gospel of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John: Read about the greatest journey ever – how God became man, climb the highest mountain and saved us from death and destruction
Ps 18:2 “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
1 Cor 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
Joshua 1:5 – 9 “No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
2 Tim 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
In closure, never forget your climbing experiences and reflect on them regularly. The experiences of yesterday, whether good or bad, contributes to the success of tomorrow. Enjoy the climb!
Lots of love, Princess K
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