Bob is traveling to New Orleans to Speak at a Prayer Breakfast. Please pray for a great harvest!
October 24, 2019 – Click here to listen
Someone once said: “All things are difficult before they are easy.” It goes hand in hand with something that General George S. Patton once said: “Accept the challenges, so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory”.
This reminds me of a friend who loves to climb mountains. It is dangerous and difficult and certainly not for the faint of heart. He’s in great shape, but his passion for climbing is still a dangerous, strenuous, grueling challenge.
I’m told that one thing that climbers do to keep themselves climbing is to occasionally glance at the summit to remind them of their goal. Standing on the summit is of course the thrilling highpoint to their adventure and it makes all of their preparation and training worthwhile just to stand atop a rugged peak at the top of the world and gaze down at the amazing sights below them.
Some think that’s all there is to it, but just imagine all of the beautiful scenes that can be observed from each new vantage point as they slowly make their way towards their goal. Yes their trek is exhausting and unremitting, but in the midst of the harsh backbreaking undertaking is hidden splendor that few will ever see and it unfolds around practically every corner.
I often made the mistake of being so intense upon achieving my goal and reaching the summit of my dreams that I didn’t enjoy the climb on the way up. I focused solely on the obstacles and the goal and didn’t take time to smell the roses around me, sometimes to include my beautiful family. I missed out on half the fun.
Now that I’m getting old and grizzled, my advice would be to climb steadily towards the summit, but look around as you ascend and enjoy each passing moment, and then when you proudly stand atop the majestic peak, it will rightly serve as a fitting climax for the journey, but that tremendous feeling of accomplishment will be complemented by the fond memories of what was encountered along the way prior to reaching the summit.
The Bible states that in this world we will experience trials and tribulation, but soon enough we will enter paradise. Relax! Live each day as though you were climbing a mountain. Yes keep your eye on the peak as your inspiration to help keep you climbing even when you are exhausted and tired of the fight, but look around as you make your journey and absorb God’s beauty and love surrounding you. Drink it in while there is yet time, for you will never pass this way again. We will spend eternity on the peak, but God wants us to enjoy the climb on our sometimes difficult trip.
Eccl. 2:24
There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God,