Fully Surrendered

“If you fuel your journey on the opinions of others, you are going to run out of gas.”
― Steve Maraboli

     This morning I see clearly a very high mountain and at the top is a cross.  The meaning of this life is at the top of that mountain and at the foot of that cross.  Some people can't see it up there hidden by the clouds, but to others it shines brighter than the sun.  We are all on a journey up the side of the mountain, and though some of our paths are similar, they are each unique.

     We climb knowing we will never reach the top until our worldly death.  Many people know that this is the way but they believe they are content circling the base of the mountain, never taking that first step to start the climb.  Others push on in a straight upward direction.  Then there are the ones in between, like me.  I march forward for a while determined to cover ground and then I slow to a stand still.  I am now learning this is not a failure but a time to rest in Him, build strength, thank Him for the ground I've covered and get direction for the journey forward.  We know overall the top is our goal, but in blind faith we follow not knowing what's immediately ahead.

     What I am realizing lately is the importance of each step in the journey.  The clearing of the path for the next person who walks that stretch.  We are stalled by a small creek so we stop and take down a tree, allowing it to fall across the water, so the next person to pass through this particular area will find it easier to pass over that obstacle. 

     We tend to see the same person repeatedly because their path is similar and we become dependent on them to tell us where to step so we don't fall and how to get over obstacles.  Then their path veers off in another direction and we find ourselves praying they will show up at difficult times but realizing God will direct us through the thick brush.  We are again clearing for the next person.  The closer you get to the top the more determined you become to reach out to that next person and tell them where to place their foot and how to maneuver around that fallen tree.

     Sometimes you come into a peaceful clearing and you sit alone with God, hearing the sounds, smelling the fragrances, remembering the journey and conversing about what's ahead.  Other times your path intersects with others and you rest together for awhile looking out over the view of the way you have come and you share your stories and encourage each other to keep climbing.  Somebody mentions the log you pushed across the water and how they needed that comfort at that time, just to know somebody had been there before them.  You thank God for the opportunity and the strength to complete that task even though many times you wanted to quit.  To hear how it helped another makes you realize you will do it again if instructed to with a little less grumbling and complaining.

   Some of us will stay at the foot of the mountain and others of us will reach higher places than most, but for each of us, one day, we will be plucked from our journey and lifted to the top.  There will be dancing and singing and hugs from loved ones.  We will see things we never dreamed we would see and we will meet our Papa face to face.  Will we hear, "Well done, my good and faithful servant"?

 

Psalm 84[a]

For the director of music. According to gittith.^[b] Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.

¹ How lovely is your dwelling place,
    Lord Almighty!
² My soul yearns, even faints,
    for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh cry out
    for the living God.
³ Even the sparrow has found a home,
    and the swallow a nest for herself,
    where she may have her young—
a place near your altar,
    Lord Almighty, my King and my God.
⁴ Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
    they are ever praising you.^[c]

⁵ Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
    whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
⁶ As they pass through the Valley of Baka,
    they make it a place of springs;
    the autumn rains also cover it with pools.^[d]
7 They go from strength to strength,    till each appears before God in Zion.

⁸ Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty;
    listen to me, God of Jacob.
⁹ Look on our shield,^[e] O God;
    look with favor on your anointed one.

¹⁰ Better is one day in your courts
    than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
    than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
¹¹ For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
    the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
    from those whose walk is blameless.

¹² Lord Almighty,
    blessed is the one who trusts in you.