You ever do things that just bring a chill
down your spine, things that cause your blood to rush and you get that kind of
excitement that you just cannot find the right vocabulary to explain... well,
for me, that is how it is when I am at high altitude; Mt. Kenya, Mt.
Kilimanjaro, Mt. Meru, name it.
And that is exactly where I started this month... on the slopes of Kilimanjaro.
People always ask me why I do it, was my
fifth climb this time and many never understand why once was not enough. My
answer is always the same; I do not do it for me anymore, I do it to help
someone else achieve that dream, I let others use my experience up there to be
a stepping stone to them achieving their dreams of getting to the top. It is
something I missed when I did my first climb so I know how hard it can be
without it.
But I also do it in many ways to be closer
to God. When on that long, tiring and treacherous journey, you get so many
points when your mind is closed to all the perils of life that you have left at
the foot of the mountain, which you have left in the workplaces, which you have
left at home; and the focus shifts to God.
I understood the meaning of the word giving
up on my many journeys to the mountains. It is tiring, it is draining, not just physically but emotionally, psychologically, spiritually.
But at that point where I am at the end of my limit, there is where I find the start of God, there is where he carries me in His arms and I no longer need to rely on myself to continue the journey. I have learnt to rely on God.
Many times in my Christian walk, I have come to a point where it seems to end, and I think that my experience, my wealth, my human understanding etc... can be the solution, I have thought that I am able, I am strong, I am rich, I am wise, I am all that.
But on the slopes of Kilimanjaro, I have been reminded a major lesson... I AM WEAK!!
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13
So beyond those slopes, it always rings in my head, I am weak, I am blind, I am nothing. And at that point when I have it in my mind that I am all that, then I am reminded of who created me; He is my strength, He is my sight, He is my all.
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29
As I take my Christian walk, I am reminded every day that when I am in Christ and when I put my trust in Him, then I find my strength, I find my direction and I know what He has in store for me.He has made that promise in His word, that only when my hope is in Him, then there is assurance of His strength, there is assurance that I am no longer blind, that I have Him on my side.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cor 12:9-10
So where is your strength; is it in your wealth, is it in your abilities, is it in thinking you can, is it in your position in life??? Do not get it twisted, all that is bound to fail. If it is not in our God who is all that, then you need to get your priorities straight.Get into Christ and get assured that you are in the Almighty God.
From a sinner saved by His grace, seeking to live His will.
