If you’re in a season where life feels like an uphill climb, you’re not alone—I’m climbing with you.
Last week, I was in Asheville, NC speaking at conference and brought my favorite crew along for the fun. Asheville has easily become one of my favorite places to visit—Good food, good coffee and absolutely breathtaking views.
When we arrived, we decided to take the kids on a hike. The weather was perfect—the cool, crisp air had all the fall feels. The trail we journeyed on was just over a mile in distance, all up hill.
One mile isn’t too rigorous for me and BJ, but it sure is for our littles. And, with only a couple of falls and a handful of stops along the way, we made it to the top.
When got there, you could hear the oohs and ahhhs from their little voices. One of them yelled, “We are above the clouds!” It was so exciting to see the wonder in their eyes. We soaked in the moment and captured the view. After a little while, we decided it was time to head back down.
As we were making our way down the mountain, we crossed paths with strangers who were hiking up the mountain.
Each time we would say hello to someone new, our kids would shout, “The view is breathtaking and it’s worth it, keep going!”
Our kids experienced the beauty and the sense of accomplishment that comes only after a hard fought climb and they wanted to make sure that others didn’t miss out on that moment, too.
Isn’t that a lot like life and doesn’t it parallel the different seasons you and I experience?
Some of us are enjoying the view at the top, others are making their way back down the other side of a mountain and some of us are in the midst of a climb.
On the journey, we can become tired, weary, worn down and lose sight of our why. That is why we need each other! Our family had been to the top, we had experienced the breathtaking view, a view that is impossible to see in the middle of a climb.
We need those who have gone before us and those who are experiencing a different season than we are in the middle of to share about their experience with us. Not just about their mountain top experience, but share about the bumps along the way, their hard times and their moments when they wanted to quit, too.
The past few weeks have been hard, frustrating and emotional. I have considered giving up and changing directions more times than I’d like to admit—but, I didn’t.
Why? Because I have surrounded myself with other journeyers who reminded me about the incredible things on the other side of this hard moment.
My tribe has reminded me about the view from the top and have reminded me that this adventure, although it can be hard, is so worth it.
So, here I am, in the middle of my climb, reminding you to not give up! Here I am encouraging you to stay with it, to keep putting one foot in front of the other, to keep your chin up, chest tall and your thoughts, strong.
While on my climb, this scripture has given me life and I pray it does the same for you.
“Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!”
Hebrews 12MSG
Don’t give up… I hear the view is breathtaking!
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