I recently climbed a mountain; well it was actually more of a hill although I have climbed some other mountains fairly recently. Whilst it was a physical hill that I have just climbed, the mountains that I have enjoyed scaling in the last few months have not been physical but spiritual. The purpose of this blog is to encourage you to get into some mountaineering, spiritual mountains!
Mountain climbing of any kind can seem daunting and hard work and at first it can seem that you are not really getting anywhere despite some effort to make a start. It may seem to be unfamiliar territory and you can feel out of your comfort zone where nothing quite fits. It can also be rather lonely. There are always plenty of people drifting around the lower slopes with lots to say but few have actually climbed this particular mountain. They will have lots of advice about the risks of going off-piste, and the possible falls into danger and they will tell you about others who have failed. But those who have heard the inward call of the mountain will press through the voices of restraint and caution because they have heard something within that will always call them onwards and ever higher. They know not to be content with anything less than experiencing first-hand the very best views of God and not relying on hearsay. Such people are beginning to realise that there has to be more than what they have been told to believe.
You will always know when it is the right time to start climbing. You just have to listen to the desire within and soon you will begin to hear stories of others who have pressed through to discover something much more amazing. You may be surprised to unexpectedly meet someone who has just done some mountain climbing or read of someone who feeds that internal hunger for something more. These events will come just at the right time will encourage you and spur you on to search for greater heights. Always listen to the draw of the Eternal Spirit within you to welcome you on to discover new frontiers. Follow the signs that will appear when you need them and don’t blunder your way up trying to take short cuts. You will soon discover the paths of those pioneers who have gone before and you will learn to allow such people to advise you of the way. Above all, remain humble.
At first there is not much to see and so you keep walking because you know you have to. You will need to break through some barriers that you or others have erected around you. You will know that you need to be obedient to the call of the mountain. After a time, you will catch an odd glimpse of a stunning view and a different perspective will appear of what was familiar territory when you were on the lower slopes. This will bring you a joy within. You may meet some people coming back down who have not made the summit and they will discourage you from going further. They will say that what you are now seeing is all there is, there is nothing better, nothing more to experience. You need to put their criticisms behind you, listen to your inward call and press on up the mountain of God.
And so, hour by hour, day by day, the views become even better and even more spectacular than you imagined. You will meet the occasional traveller with whom you can walk for a time and share experiences and you will learn from one another if you have a seeking heart. Soon you are finding that you are walking where few have walked before as you discover new heights of God. Every so often you will stop at some new scene that takes your breath away and you find little clusters of people who have also discovered these new views and new perspectives. Here are one and twos who have also pressed through the familiar and walked into the unknown to discover the new sights and glories awaiting them. Here are others who have also heard the inward call and discovered the heights of God and are revelling in this new found space and largeness of their world. They too will be celebrating this new found freedom, this glorious broad open space of living as one with the mountain. Suddenly you will know that this is what you were created for and who you are supposed to be. Despite years of wandering the foothills, which can be good, you will understand that this view of God is what all are supposed to inherit. That was certainly true for me.
You don’t have to start with a mountain, just a small hill may be your starting place but even that will give you a new understanding of yourself and a new perspective of God and this world. Just follow the urge within and press on into uncharted territory and keep off the beaten track. You will discover that the lessons you will learn on this climb somehow improve the view at the end. Soon you will discover for yourself, wide open places that are filled with silence and you will realise they are filled with God. You will discover that everywhere you look is resonating with the presence of Eternal Love. And when you have climbed your first hill you will be excited about climbing a little higher next time and discovering something even more beautiful and incredible that goes way beyond what you may have been told to expect. Then, suddenly you will know that now is the time to climb the next mountain. You will follow the inward urge and unexpectedly discover signs put there for you to follow when the path gets a little faint. You will be joining an increasing number of people who have stepped off the familiar and into the unknown and discovered what could not be imagined nor is it easy to explain if you haven’t experienced it for yourself. You will have discovered something about God that although new to you is actually ever old. The mountains of God that I have climbed in the very recent years have been life changing and stunning and I know there is more to climb!