Opinion

Climbing mountains with God

Having previously climbed Mount Snowdon in Wales with her children, Ruth Lilley gives some advice on tackling life’s mountains.

Shall I get out of bed or hit the snooze button? Do I read the Bible or scroll through my phone? Do I make my children’s lunch or hope that they will make it for once? Do I walk to work or drive? I've only been up for an hour or so but these and many more decisions have already been made! 
 
Choices...if I counted the different choices I made each day, I wonder how many there would be? Hundreds! The majority of them will be quite insignificant and, in my head, I will have answered them before I even finish asking myself! Some of them will be slightly more challenging and will take some time to ponder over.
 
Others, however, will be big decisions to make - maybe ones that I didn't even have any idea were coming my way...then it can feel like a huge mountain needs climbing. Although if I consider how things look from the top of that mountain...WOW! What a change in perspective! What a wonderful view! 
 
If I am faced with a big choice that I know is going to be hard, I may well choose not to climb that mountain and instead choose to take the easier route and walk round the mountain. What view will I then miss out on? 
 
However, if I choose to stand strong and decide to tackle that mountain, it isn't going to be an easy climb. I might lose my footing along the way, the cloud may descend as I near the top and it will be tiring but when I reach the top...what a view, what beauty!! I will be seeing things I will not have expected - and I imagine it will take my breath away! 
 
Whatever the choice...big, small, or somewhere in between...there is always help available to make that choice. When facing decisions that might feel like mountains or even just a bump in the road, I can look to my own strength and make the choice, but this may well mean I miss out on a better view. 
 
Alternatively, I could face the bump (be it big or small) from a far better standing. If I choose to stand with God as I make these choices, I stand in love, encouragement, hope, security, and success. I stand confident in the goodness of God and in His faithfulness. Then, as we survey the view from the top together, I will be amazed because God’s perspective goes above and beyond anything I can imagine. I believe the choice to face those decisions rather than walking round them will lead to thankfulness, knowing that God is working His purposes out.
 
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-14 (New International Version)
 
The photo of Snowdonia is courtesy of Ruth Lilley

Ruth Lilley teaches at an infant school in Norwich. She also enjoys writing, and writes a regular blog called ‘With Every Sun Comes A New Day.’

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