I’ve been doing some walking in my neighborhood lately.
And I generally have a great time.
Except when I don’t.
Like when I get to one of those hills.
There are several around here. And let me tell you, they are excruciating.
Seriously.
They’re long. And steep. I do have a small mountain pretty much in my backyard, after all.
I always start out my walk thinking, “It won’t be so bad this time.”
And I’m right.
It’s actually worse than I remember.
The first few steps are all well and good, but before long the incline sharpens and seems to stretch infinitely before me.
I want to quit.
I start fantasizing about sprouting wings on my feet and flying home. I look at the birds overhead and envy their ability to fly. Or in my most desperate moments, I actually consider having a seat on the curb and pulling out my cell phone to (gulp) ask my husband to come in his car and pick me up.
But when the haziness of my daydreams fades, I realize that none of those are viable options. I’m committed to this health thing I’m trying to do, by God’s grace. And so I keep on.
I’ve taken up a lot of counting in times like these. Counting my paces as I’m going up the hill helps the time pass. And it also helps focus my mind on something other than my burning lungs and screaming legs.
One, two, three, four…
Inhale, exhale. Inhale, exhale.
thirty-seven, thirty-eight, thirty-nine…
Inhale, exhale. Inhale, exhale.
ninety, ninety-one, ninety-two…
Inhale, exhale. Inhale, exhale.
Paying attention to each of those hard steps helps me endure. But there’s no joy yet.
Only the whispered anticipation of things to come.
Because I know…
I know what’s behind me, beckoning my gaze.
I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that when I get to the top of the hill, it will be worth it.
I know because I’ve been there before.
And when I finally reach the top and turn around, just before I begin my descent, I’ll take a moment to soak in the beautiful reward of my labor. The deep purple mountain backdrop against the hazy blue sky streaked with orange and pink and yellow as the sun sets. A panoramic vision of colors exploding and magnificence so breathtaking, it actually brings tears to my eyes.
That’s when the joy comes.
The joy comes in looking away from the hard thing I just finished and looking toward the beauty I would’ve never seen without it.
Joy comes in seeing how far God has brought me. How faithful He has been to sustain me.
Joy comes in knowing deep in the very marrow of my bones that the hard stuff brings the good stuff.
It brings the best stuff.
And it almost makes me look forward to that next hard climb.
I really think a certain “wee little man” had it right (Luke 19:4). That little man who made a hard climb into a tall tree…
because the view was worth it.
“So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree
to see Jesus.“
Yes, beloved friend…the best view is worth the hardest climb.
Absolutely!
Thanks for reading, Susan!
So true
Thank you for reading, and for sharing your thoughts, Elsie.
Beautiful
Thank you, Moira. Your encouragement truly means so much to me!
Another great job! I got a kick out of this line“It won’t be so bad this time.”And I’m right. It’s actually worse than I remember.” That is a good reflection how life can be, with the trials we face. I guess that is why life seems cyclical. We have a good run of it, full of blessings and coasting through, we get a little more comfortable, and then some trials come that we have to wrestle through and they are never fun. I also love your closing pin, the best view comes from the hardest climb. Those hard climbs take so much out of us, but seeing God’s purpose through it all is so sweet.
It IS sweet, isn’t it? I’m so, so thankful that He sometimes offers us glimpses of His plan. He certainly doesn’t have to; but it’s such precious encouragement to our hearts when we can trace His hand!
Just what I needed to hear this morning. Thank you!
I’m glad, Krista! God is so good to lead us to the truth we need, right when we need it. Thanks for reading!
My husband and I are currently “receiving the joy” from a very long and arduous “climb”……seeing how Jesus does EVERYTHING He promises is so amazing! Thank you for the lovely visual of the journey to God’s abundant blessings:)
Hi, Becky! What a wonderful testimony of God’s work in your life! I’m so glad you can relate to the truth of this post. Our God is so good to us!
I have been learning the importance and power of words. Your words have truly motivated me. Thank you for taking the time to share your words of strength.
I pray that God continues to strengthen you during every challenge. I will certainly remember your words when I am climbing to the top.
Hi there, and welcome! Thanks so much for stopping by, and for leaving this kind word of encouragement. I’m so glad this post was a blessing to you, and I pray its lessons stay with us both in our future hard climbs.
I’ve been sharing this and it actually sparked conversation with a friend of mine the other day. Thanks for pressing us to Jesus & for linking with Grace & Truth!
Holly, I’m praising the Lord for this testimony of friends who take the courageous plunge beneath the surface of life’s issues. It requires effort to get there, but it’s a blessed place to be. Thanks for stopping by!
Really, it gladens my heart to read this inspiring word. I have come to agree that God is still with us even in the turns and bends of life. I do pray you remain insightful to God’s revelations.
Wow this bless me so. In this season I struggle with finishing. I am believing God for deliverance from my spirit of quitting because it feels uncomfortable and looks different
Hello, Chiquita! I will pray with you about your struggle. There are many reasons why we might quit, but many of them have unbelief at their root. We fail to believe in God’s ability to accomplish His will through us. We don’t truly believe His power is ours through Christ. Please know of my prayers for you, that God would grant you a spirit of belief and perseverance in the things to which He has called you.
I just read this, and at a moment when I am climbing the highest hill, I have ever had to climb for the last 2 years. I am praying to reach the top of the hill soon; I am confident He will show me the way.
Thank you for sharing this with me, Robert. I will pray for God to give you the strength and perseverance to press on!