CONQUERING MOUNTAINS
Peaks and valleys. Ups and downs. Mountains and molehills. We use different euphemisms to explain how our life progresses such as peaks and valleys or ups and downs. Life is never simple we all have our good days and our bad days. If we were to plot our life on a graph it would certainly take on a zig zag pattern. But, no matter what we call it it still ain’t pretty!
Today, I would like to talk about mountains and the valleys in between. Mountains come in all shapes and sizes. Some can be pretty when looked at across the valley. However, when we get up close we see all the rocks, crags and crevasses. Oftentimes we are awed by the sheer size and height and we begin to think just how puny we are in comparison. And then when we consider that we had thought about hiking or climbing up the mountain we tell ourselves we must have been crazy to think we could climb that monstrosity.
As the thoughts of our hubris sinks into our brain we become humbled,
Then we begin to doubt,
And finally,
We become terrified of the thought of placing even one foot on the mountain.
Here in the Low Country about the only mountain you can find is probably the mounds of trash at the local dump. On the other hand I was raised in an area where I could look out the window of my house or school and see the San Bernardino Mountains. And it did not matter whether I went to Death Valley, the Mojave Desert or the Coastal Mountains along Highway 101 the mountains were noticeable all around me.
I climbed many of those mountains, either by rope or walking a trail. I had no fear of those mountains they were part of my life. They were where I played and exercised. It was also where I went to think or pray. To me they represented the majesty of God.
Our time on earth is finite in comparison to how long the mountains have existed in the past and on into the future. According to geologists here in the states the oldest mountains are the Smokey’s and the Coastal Mountains in California. Whereas, the Rocky’s and Sierra Nevada’s are relatively young. However you look at it, when you are only 6 feet tall and the mountain you are staring at is 6000 ft tall, the mountain is much more impressive.
But, there are times when mountains are not majestic. When they don’t provide comfort, solitude or inspiration.
There are times when mountains are not something you can visualize. Instead, they are something you encounter or experience. Sometimes, the path over these mountains don’t exist and you have to blaze the trail. It is on these occasions when you discover the mountain is not something you see out the window. Rather, it is something lodged inside of you.
I believe that God puts these mountains in our path so that we can get some exercise. We can become rather sedate, comfortable, and unexcited in our religiosity. There are times when we need to get out of chairs and go on an expedition of discovery. We need to be challenged, to blaze that trail and ascend the heights in our relationship with God.
As a child I was constantly reminded not to make mountains out of molehills. What is the difference between a mountain and a molehill? The amount of dirt thrown on the pile. Sounds pretty simplistic doesn’t it? Yet, as silly as that sounds many times we believe that our problems are huge when they really are not. Once we start throwing dirt, we end up digging a bigger hole. The further down we dig the less we can see around us.
That is what happens when we get lost in the minutiae and forget to look at the big picture. What that does is make us lose focus. Our vision becomes obscured and we become, in a sense blinded.
So, you think you have a problem. What should you do?
First thing to do is isolate the variables. In other words, exactly what is the issue, break the problem down into its smallest components. Once you do that, then you start tackling the individual issues. I usually recommend starting with the simplest component. If you can easily conquer that issue you have begun building positive momentum.
A successful vision provides purpose and focuses our strengths, enables us to see our potential and allows us to conquer any problem. Yet, in order to focus on the problem, isolate the variables and conquer the issue we need to calm the beast within. We can not let the problem overwhelm us. We have to still our racing heart and tongue. We must have peace within to think clearly. There is only one place from which the peace we need will come. Turn with me to Psalms 121 I will lift up mine eyes unto the mountains: From whence shall my help come?
Psa 121:2 My help cometh from Jehovah, Who made heaven and earth.
All of us are in church today for reasons that are personal. Some are here because we have spiritual questions. Some of us are here because of dedication. Some of us are here because of habit. Some of us are here because of our love for God. No matter your reasons all of us have issues that are occasionally too mountainous for you to solve. When we are desperate. When we can’t find the solution, David tells us to look to the mountains. Look to our Creator, in Him will we find peace. In Him will we find answers. In Him will we find a vision.
Vision is important. Good vision not only allows you to read the small print at the bottom of contracts it also allows you to see the lovely face of your wife,
the beauty of a smile on your child,
a pretty flower,
the blue sky and the white clouds.
Vision is also required for defense against enemies. When Karen and I lived in Puerto Rico we took a trip to the rain forest. In the midst of the forest is a mountain called El Yunque. When we got to the top we saw a tower. We were allowed to climb the steps inside and thus ascended to the top. From the top of the tower we could see the east coast, west coast and south coast of the island. Quite remarkable when you consider the island is over 160 miles long and 90 miles wide! Even more astonishing is the fact the tower was built by Ponce de Leon almost 500 years ago. He built it for one purpose, as a Watch Tower to protect Spain’s claim on the island of Puerto Rico. If he knew the enemy was coming then he could martial his forces in the correct spot to protect the island.
Good vision is important.
Secondly, you need to know how to approach the mountain. It is fool hardy to think that you can just walk up and begin climbing. Professional mountain climbers will go to the local rangers office and procure a map of the mountain. Ordinary maps are not suitable, one must acquire terrain maps. This type of map will show what areas are steep or gentle. It will show where there are deep rifts or crevasses. It will show angles of the slopes and heights of sheer faces.
Next, the mountaineer will try to acquire photographs of the mountain. These will help to find the best direction to begin the climb, where there might be good footholds and handholds. It will also tell him how much rope he will need.
For those mountains in which you can hike to the top rather than climb you will need a trail map. This type of map will show you how long the trail is, the difficulty of the trail and if there are junctions in the trail. If there are junctions then the map will show you which path will lead you to your destination.
So, how do you approach the mountain of problems you may have. You need a map or plan. That plan begins with faith and prayer. Turn with me to Matthew 17:20 for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
To conquer the mountain you need a plan or map.
Third, you need to have an understanding of the mountain. What is the mountain composed of? Granite?
Limestone?
Pumice?
Is it solid or full of scree? You need to know what the mountain is made of to assist you in preparing for the climb. Different types of rocks require different types of tools. If it is a solid mountain composed mostly of granite then you might be able to use just footholds and handholds to climb. If it is limestone or pumice then you will definitely need pitons and rope.
Another important component in understanding your mountain is the weather patterns. Is the mountain susceptible to sudden weather shifts. Will the temperature go from a pleasant 70 degrees to freezing in a matter of a few hours? Will a snow storm or blizzard occur without warning? How about flash-flooding?
So you see, it is very important to do your homework before climbing that mountain. Similarly, when we look at our problems we must take time to understand the circumstances that brought this problem into our life. Was it something I said or did. Was it the result of someplace I have been? Was it caused by something I didn’t do?
To understand your mountain you need to examine and evaluate its genesis.
Fourth, how much time should you take to conquer the mountain? Mountains come in many sizes. The mountains along the coast of California are only a few thousand feet tall. The Appalachian Mountains can get up to 10,000 feet tall. In the Rocky’s the mountains can be over 14,000 feet tall! So, the height of the mountain as well as the difficulty can determine how much time you spend on the mountain. If the mountain is over 10,000 feet tall, you will need time to acclimate to low oxygen.
A few years ago I took a trip up to the top of Pikes Pike in Colorado. Pike’s Peak is over 14,000 feet tall. Fortunately, you drive to the top. However, because I have lived so long here in the Charleston area where we are at sea level my body was not use to the low oxygen. So, when I stepped out of the car up on the mountain I immediately became dizzy and almost fainted. Very embarrassing!
Regardless of the height of the mountain, you still need to limit your time. If you don’t your supplies will run out. The weather may change. And you will need to wash your clothes!
We also need to limit the time we spend on conquering our personal mountains. Take the admonition from God as he spoke to Abraham:
Deuteronomy 1:6 Jehovah our God spake unto us in Horeb, saying, Ye have dwelt long enough in this mountain:
Spending too much time can exacerbate our problem instead of ridding us of the problem. Do not let your fears, anger or other issues become a stumbling block to your spiritual victory. Push on and let God guide you through.
In Deuteronomy 2:3 God says “you have skirted this mountain long enough.” Avoiding the issue is the same as spending too much time on it. It is an obstacle that limits you. Get up and move on!
Fifth. The mountaineer has finished gathering his maps, photos, climbing gear and other supplies. He is almost ready to head to the mountain to begin his climb. There is one essential item he must have before he can climb the mountain. He must have absolute confidence that he can conquer the mountain. If he tries to tackle the mountain without confidence in his or his teammates ability it can bring disaster upon the team.
Climbing mountains can be dangerous. Any doubt or lack of faith in your ability can lead to failure. It can also possibly be fatal.
Many of us fail to conquer our mountains, or spiritual obstacles because of a lack of faith. Unbelief or the lack of faith stops the flow of God’s power in our lives. If we want to move the mountain we must have help. We must believe that it can be done. But that won’t happen unless we have faith. Faith that the mountain will move and be cast into the sea. Faith that God will intervene and help us. If we don’t believe, if we don’t have faith that mountain will remain an obstacle. Turn with me to Matthew 13:58 And because the people did not have any faith, Jesus did not work many miracles there.
The mountaineer has his gear and his maps. He has confidence in his and his teammates ability. He is now ready to claim victory over the mountain by successfully reaching the top.
Are you ready to claim victory over your mountains? Are you ready to say like Caleb in Numbers 13:30 Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.
Remember that the people of Israel refused to enter the Promised Land on one occasion because they feared the Giants and forgot all that God had done bringing them through Sinai. Moses, Joshua and Caleb tried to encourage the people, but they refused to budge. They didn’t have confidence. They lacked faith. They turned back to the desert and wandered for another 40 years. But not Caleb! He cried out and said “Give me this mountain! It’s mine and nothing is going to stop me from getting it!”
Caleb claimed victory over the mountain! And so should we!
In summary I would like to say this:
As there are different types of mountains on earth, so there are a variety of problems in our life. They come in many different sizes, some large and some small. And often a day does not go by when a new mountain thrusts itself up and blocks our path or ruin our plans. Indeed, the days when we do not encounter mountains are few and far between. Those singular days stand out and we praise God when they come our way.
Since good days are seemingly few and far between we should be experts on conquering mountains wouldn’t you think? Unfortunately, many of us seem to wallow in self pity and lament our circumstances. We cry and moan and say life isn’t fair!
Yes, it isn’t fair that we get sick.
It isn’t fair that we cannot afford a new car every year.
It isn’t fair that we did not get a raise or get promoted at work.
It isn’t fair that we are getting older.
Life has never been fair. You and I will always have obstacles in our path. Sometimes those obstacles may even seem insurmountable, but we must overcome them. Yes, Satan may have put that mountain in the midst of our path. But, God has already shown us the path over the mountain. God, has already claimed the victory by climbing to the top. He stands at the top and holds his hand out to help us up and stand beside him.
Yes, we will have days of pain.
Yes, we will have days when it is difficult for us to get out of bed.
Yes we will have days when we are just not ready to face the work and its problems.
But those are the days we do need to get up and face the world. We are told that God will never give us something we can’t handle. We are told that He is ready to place us on His shoulders and carry us if necessary. And if God is helping us the peace that will wash over us will allow us to see the beauty all around us.
The beauty of a lazy river.
The beauty of a small waterfall.
The beauty in a sunset.
I ask you today to exclaim just as Paul did in 1 Cor 15:57 thank God for letting our Lord Jesus Christ give us the victory!
