A STAIRCASE IS NOT A MOUNTAIN

Tuesday morning's Band of Brothers led by our lead pastor inspired me this morning. Now, understand I'm not a tough cookie. I get inspiration from lots of things, unfortunately not all of them are spiritual. But this morning's was.

Our lesson was about holiness. And mountain climbing. Well, I know that to take one point out of some great discussion is not fair, but that's what this entry is about.

A mountain climbing professor of Pastor Rob taught him never to climb down when you're climbing a mountain. As one who has only climbed a few mountains on golf courses at Phantom Horse and Eagle's Mountain, I understand the principle to some limited extent. Traversing is the key when a straight ascension is undesirable. At least that's the way I see it.

Spiritual mountains I seem to understand better. And if I haven't fallen or climbed down in my spiritual walk, I've certainly traversed from time to time. When it happens, I feel as if I have failed. While I'm disappointed in myself, I'm also disappointed for God. I've let Him down. Time and time again. Yet He keeps me covered. He keeps me cupped in His hand. Equally important, He forgives my past, present, and future sins. I marvel at that, along with about a billion other things that characterize God.

So I must press on. I must attack that mountain. I may never reach the top like the mythical Sisyphus, but if I do, the rock won't fall back down. I won't have to descend and begin the process of pushing it up the mountain again. When I get close to the top, I'll be pleasing God in my sanctification. In addition, in my striving there won't be strife. At least none that I can count on having to do it all by myself.