The Climb

Our little grandson has discovered the thrill of climbing - a phase most children go through. During the climbing phase, parents discover the habit of gasping for breath! God said to Abraham, "take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you." (Genesis 22:2). Such a command is unimaginable but having to climb a mountain - really? Truth is, we'd much rather go-around a mountain than climb it! The stress, the strain and the struggle of the mountains before us  are very unappealing; when faced with the climb or the detour, we'll take the detour. Like Abraham learned, obedience to make the climb is where God shows more of Himself, where we learn to trust Him more, where our faith is deepened. "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-4). Are you in the shadow of a looming mountain? Although it's our nature to take the detour - the path of least resistance - don't fear the mountain. Take the climb and trust The One greater than the mountain.