Tag Archives: Mountains

Pastoral thoughts

A Hilly Reminder

Driving in the mountains or hilly areas is always interesting. Often we cannot see what is ahead until we either get to the top of the hill or around the curve. It makes driving an adventure! But this hilly driving leads me to Psalm 121: “I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm – he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” The hills are wonderful, exciting, even exhilarating – but my help and strength come from the Lord who made them. As The Message translates verses 1-2, “I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains? No, my strength comes from God, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.”

What a glorious truth! No matter how high the mountain, nor how steep the climb, or how swift the descent, God is guiding, leading, and protecting. What an awesome affirmation for the ups and downs of life. Whether you’re going down or going up, remember the hills. You may be at the very bottom, wondering how to ever get back to the top. Or perhaps you’re at the very top worried you might not stay there. You could be in between, not sure if your next move will propel you upwards or thrust you downwards. It might be that you are moving forward but can’t see around the next curve; you’re concerned about what lies ahead. No matter what, “The LORD will keep you from all harm – he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” 

Let me take a little liberty and offer a ‘Curryean’ paraphrase: “The LORD will keep you from all harm – he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going, your ups and your downs, your bends and your curves, both now and forevermore.” Whether you’re going down or going up, remember the hills. You can travel safely no matter what the road!

So let the hills and curves, the ups and downs, remind you of our faithful God who never tires, slumbers, or sleeps so He can be your constant guard and protector. “God guards you from every evil, he guards your very life. He guards you when you leave and when you return, he guards you now, he guards you always.” (7-8 The Message) Wherever you are at this moment, whether you’re going down or going up, remember the hills.

 

 

Pastoral thoughts

The Mountains Along the Way

I’ve never climbed a mountain, which is a good thing. I still remember having to ride my bike up a steep hill – a mini-mountain – on the way to school.

It left me breathless (and not because of the scenery) and my legs all but exploded. And it happened every time – it never got any easier! I can’t imagine what climbing a mountain would be like! But I do know this about mountains – they can make for some beautiful scenery, and the view from the top is breath-taking; but when they are in the middle of the road upon which we’re walking, they’re anything but beautiful. In fact, they’re downright ugly, standing there blocking our path. They’re nothing but a huge obstacle that keeps us from enjoying our walk and slows our progress.

Often the issues with which we deal are like huge mountains that block our road into what we thought was a glorious adventure or future. We are stunned when they first appear on the horizon; so we stir up our positive juices and claim we’ll make it to the other side all right. Then we begin to climb. Soon we are breathless, and at times we feel we’ll explode. Suddenly we aren’t so sure we’ll be able to continue the walk. After all, the mountain is too high, too broad, too imposing. The next thing we know, we are in the valley, looking up, not sure we’ll make it to the other side.

This is precisely when the music of our faith kicks in to remind us of at least two truths. First, we are not alone.

Life is easy, when you’re up on the mountain And you’ve got peace of mind, like you’ve never known. But things change, when you’re down in the valley. Don’t lose faith, for you’re never alone.                               

For the God on the mountain, is the God in the valley. When things go wrong, He’ll make them right. And the God of the good times is still God in the bad times. The God of the day is still God in the night.

We talk of faith way up on the mountain. Talk comes so easy when life’s at its best. Now down in the valleys, of trials and temptations That’s where your faith is really put to the test.

For the God on the mountain is the God in the valley. When things go wrong, He’ll make them right. And the God of the good times is still God in the bad times. The God of the day, is still God in the night. The God of the day, is still God in the night. (1)

The second truth is that God is in control. Israel knew all about mountains. So Isaiah prophesied (Isaiah 49:11): “I will turn all my mountains into roads, and my highways will be raised up.” Or as the New Living Translation puts it:  “And I will make my mountains into level paths for them. The highways will be raised above the valleys.” Mountains don’t stand in the way – they are the way.  If we believe that the mountains and the hills are God’s, then we can believe He knows the way through and will be faithful as we walk together. God will either raise us up or lower the mountain – but one way or another He’ll get us out of the valley and make a straight way.

God will make a way when there seems to be no way. He works in ways we cannot see; He will make a way for me.                         

He will be my guide, hold me closely to His side. With love and strength for each new day; He will make a way, He will make a way. (2)

I even have a sneaky feeling that because of the mountain, we’ll appreciate the beauty on the other side even more. So walk on.

(1) ‘God on the Mountain’ by Lynda Randle
(2) ‘God Will Make a Way’ by Don Moen

Pastoral thoughts

A Mountain Climbing Lesson

I’ve never climbed a mountain, which is a good thing. I still remember having to ride my bike up a steep hill on the way to school – it left me breathless (and not because of the scenery) and my legs all but exploded. And it happened every time – it never got any easier! I can’t imagine what climbing a mountain would be like! But I do know this about mountains – they can make for some beautiful scenery, and the view from the top is breath-taking.

But when the mountains  are in the middle of the road upon which we’re walking, they’re anything but beautiful. In fact, they’re downright ugly, standing there blocking our path. They’re nothing but a huge obstacle that keeps us from enjoying our walk and that slows our progress.

Often the issues, problems or situations with which we deal stretch out over an extended period of time – months or even years. The longer they last the bigger they become –  like a huge mountain that  blocks our road.  We are stunned when the mountain first appears on the horizon; so we stir up our positive juices and claim we’ll make it to the other side all right. Then we began to climb, and soon we we are breathless and even feel like we’ll explode. Suddenly we aren’t so sure we’ll be able to continue the walk. After all, the mountain is too high, to broad, too imposing. The next thing we know, we’re in the valley, looking up, wondering if we’ll make it to the other side. (But let’s not forget that even in the valley, we’re OK. Even though I walk through the valley…You are with me…”)

We’re not alone. Israel knew all about mountains. So did Isaiah (49:11): “I will turn all my mountains into roads, and my highways will be raised up.” Or as the New Living Translation puts it: “And I will make my mountains into level paths for them. The highways will be raised above the valleys.” “God will make a way when there seems to be no way…!” If we believe that the mountains and the hills are His, then we can believe He knows the way through and will be faithful as we walk together. God will raise us up or lower the mountain – but one way or another He’ll get us out of the valley and make a straight way.  I even have a sneaky feeling that because of the mountain, we’ll appreciate the beauty on the other side even more. So whatever your mountain, walk on – keep climbing.

As Don Moen wrote: “God will make a way when there seems to be no way. He works in ways we cannot see; He will make a way for me. He will be my guide, hold me closely to His side. With love and strength for each new day; He will make a way, He will make a way.”