I've been climbing mountains my whole life.
It's treacherous and steep with very few sturdy grips. My extremities burn hot, and sometimes, I feel like I won't make it. At times, I'm downright terrified.
I could tell you a lot about mountains. But this isn't about mountains. Not today, at least.
It's about you.
We all have a mountain to climb. In this life, we are sure to have several. Some mountains more dangerous than others. Some mountains we're prepared for. Some mountains we want to climb. Then there's mountains that seem to rise up out of the earth and intimidate us with no path but upwards.
Why do we climb?
Sometimes, we climb for the challenge. The accomplishment. The view.
There's such a magical view on the mountain top.
And it just feels really good to conquer.
But sometimes, we climb mountains only because we have to. Because the alternative is failure. alienation. regret. divorce. defeat. maybe even death.
So we climb, one shaky foot in front of the other.
Yet Jesus promises that He will give us absolutely everything we need to climb it. and He does.
Today, though, I'm thanking Him for you.
He gave me you.
Because I can't climb this mountain alone. None of us can.
I researched climbing. Literally typed into my google search engine "climbing." I started reading. about technique. about gear.
and I found this: Belay : The process of securing and safeguarding a climber by using a rope to hold the climber’s weight if he falls. The ascending climber and the belayer, or the person holding the rope, are a team that is linked together by the rope.
We need a belayer.
Without a belayer, the mountain might consume us. Without a belayer, this mountain is most deadly.
So today, I'm thankful for my rope holders. You encourage me to keep going. Remind me to rest and take in the view. When I can't see ahead, you search for a way to direct me. You seek Jesus on my behalf. You share my burden. You fasten that lifeline and secure it around me. You cut me slack.
You and I are linked together. God is the rope that so perfectly binds us. I feel the hold and it reminds me: I'm not alone up here.
When I fall, you help me up. You bandage my wounds, brush away debris, offer me cold water and hoist me back up on that mountain.
And when I reach the top, you marvel and bless and thank Jesus with me. Because you understand. Because you climbed the whole thing with me.
You were my belayer.
I encourage you today to thank your rope holders sometime this week. Go to coffee, write a note, leave cookies on the doorstep. Whatever that looks like for you. Just say Thank You.
Thank you.
Thank you for being God's hands, His voice, at times even His presence in my life.
You are my belayers.
and I'm grateful.
Love to you,
Lyss
