The Climb.

As I get back into life here , daily I'm unpacking and sorting through all the happened in Malawi.
One of the days there , we ended with a hike up a mountain , a 1,000 ft mountain , steep- i mean really steep, in Mponela - At sunset. I love outdoorsy things and hiking and walks and runs. But this mountain was steep. I was floored and humbled by how hard it was for me. I mean I should be able to climb this thing. I kept slipping out of my sandals. At one point having to trade shoes with a friend because it was so difficult. I could only go a few paces beforet having to stop. I kept telling myself - get it together! what is wrong with you! I eventually told everyone to just go ahead. Which honestly was the best thing - it gave me alone time to just sit before the Lord or stand rather weakly and seek him. 'Not my strength but his' kept going through my mind. I physically could not climb this mountain. It was so steep and I kept slipping. I had to wait and look closely to see where the next steps needed to be. I prayed and asked that he would just direct my feet. Show me the path. So I climbed the mountain. Leaning into him. I'd stop and look - seeing the surroundings , taking it in, not missing all that was around. I honestly think If I had been able I would have climbed that mountain and never looked back. I wouldn't have stopped to take in the surroundings, the sights, the smells. I could have climbed up and been like ok - now what. But I was slowed down. I had to stop. I struggled the whole way up. But it was a good struggle. It was a humbling time. I care sometimes a little too much what other people think - and I literally had to drop that half way up -that it didn't matter what anyone else thought. That I was on my own journey up the mountain with the Lord.
So this week the Lord revealed and gave the perfect summary of that climb.

" Be willing to follow wherever I lead. Follow Me wholeheartedly, with glad anticipation quickening your pace. Though you don't know what lies ahead , I know; and that is enough! Some of My richest blessings are just around the bend: out of sight , but nonetheless very real. To receive these gifts, you must walk by faith- not by sight. This doesn't mean closing your eyes to what is all around you. It means subordinating the visible world to the invisible Shepherd of your soul.
Sometimes I lead you up a high mountain with only My hand to support you. The higher you climb, the more spectacular the view becomes; also the more keenly you sense your separation with the world and it's problems. This frees you to experience exuberantly the joyous reality of My presence. Give yourself fully to these Glory-moments, awash in dazzling Light. I will eventually lead you down the mountain, back into community with others. Let My Light continue to shine within you as you walk amount people again."

2 Cor 5:5 ; Psalm 96:6 , John 8:12; Psalm 36:9

Honestly this not only speaks to the mountain climb but to the entire trip, the entire journey - The getting there , the being there , the living after there in the daily day to day.