A man named Everest and the mountains in your life
As I write this post I am in Johannesburg, South Africa. Over dinner we were blessed to have a friendly waiter named Everest. It's not very often that you meet a man named Everest., he is actually my first.
With a name like Everest I was reminded of another man I met at the wedding I attended last Saturday (see earlier post) - his name is Gideon Lasco, a 26 year old mountaineer who climbed Mt. Apo (highest peak in the Philippines) when he was 19.
It was obvious from his name that he had a Christian background. As it turns out he is a pastor's son. Gideon is also a prolific blogger in his highly visited site pinoymountaineer.com - my brief conversation with this young man was pretty insightful.
At the wedding Gideon shared with me his three best revelations on mountain climbing:
1. Mountains are overwhelming. They are good reminders that we are small and God who made them is big. Climbing them always brings humility.
2. Mountains represent challenging summits and goals. Any mountaineer will tell you that changes in the weather and other conditions can deter one from reaching one's goals. Likewise life has constant twists, turns and can change on you in an instant.
It is here where we are reminded that ultimately our strength and ability has it's limits. And only God can make a way where there is no way. It was he who said "I will go before you and level the mountains." Isa. 45:2
3. Finally in the New Testament mountains are metaphors for hindrances and massive burdens. Here again Jesus reminds us that through faith in Him we can speak to our mountains and command them to thrown into the sea.
Are you facing mountains in your life? Remind yourself to remain humble, remember God can make a way where there is no way and always be in faith and speak to your mountains. Keep in mind that the biggest mountain in our lives is a sinful heart that knows not how to live. In Christ God has leveled this mountain and allowed us to experience the highest summit of all, a restored relationship with God.
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