Psalm 24:3-4 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
No one wakes up and decides to climb the massive Mount Everest just for the fun of it. Standing at the summit requires days, weeks, or even months of intentional preparation. Mountaineers must carefully audit their gear, pack only what is essential, study the maps of the terrain, and condition their bodies for the thin air ahead. If they attempt the climb weighed down by unnecessary baggage or lacking the proper tools, the mountain will quickly expose their lack of preparation.
In life, we all face mountains; seasons of grief, difficult transitions, financial hardships, or spiritual dry spells. Just like a physical climb, working through these life crises successfully depends heavily on the preparation we do before and during the climb.
To survive the steep trials of life, we must apply the same discipline as a seasoned climber:
- Lighten your load: A climber dumps heavy, useless items from their pack. To climb your spiritual mountain, you must lay aside the dead weight of unforgiveness, worry, and past mistakes that drag you down.
- Pack the right gear: Mountaineers rely on ropes and anchors. Your ultimate anchors are daily prayer, consistent Bible reading and study of Scripture, and the fellowship of a strong community.
- Trust the guide: When visibility drops and the trail disappears in a whiteout, a climber relies entirely on his guide and compass. When life grows dark, you must rely completely on the Holy Spirit to direct your steps, even when you cannot see the path ahead. Christ is our Guide. His compass is always accurate because it always points to His Word.
The climb will be grueling, and your muscles will ache. But every difficult step prepares you for the breathtaking view from the summit, where you will look back and see how God’s hand sustained you through every steep ledge along the way!
