It was the end of a long walk, not longer than usual,  but today as I looked up that last hill my body and my brain said “NO”.  NO more strength, NO desire, NO faith that I could do it. My muscles were weak, my legs felt like spaghetti not strong enough to carry me. I was sweaty, thirsty and exhausted. The hill looked bigger, much bigger than the other 30 times I’d climbed it. I called out to the people I was with for help and the wind must have carried my voice up and away because no heads turned, no hands reached out. 

As I stood there trying to muster the strength to start that climb, my people disappeared in the distance. I tried to give myself a pep talk, after all, this was not like me.  I’d walked up plenty of hills tired and exhausted before. Why was I so defeated this time before I’d even started to climb?  I knew I had two choices, stay where I was,  or climb that vertical beast.  I didn’t want to make the climb, I really didn’t think I could!  But I did NOT want to stay where I was, and get left behind.

At the start of that climb I was at the end of my own strength but then I remembered… I remembered all the impossible obstacles I’d faced before and overcome with the help of the One who promises to never leave me or forsake me, especially at the bottom of my toughest climbs. 

Luke 10:19

“Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you.”

 “Jesus, I need you” I prayed in my mind. “I know you can get me up this hill”

Putting one foot in front of the other I continued to pray. I turned on the first song I saw on my worship playlist. and let the words lift my weakened spirit: “ Set a fire down in my soul that I can’t contain and I can’t control, I want more of you God…” UP I went, body aching, feet sore, gravity pulling me down… ”No place I would rather be, no place I would rather be than here in your love…” Here with you God.

I didn’t suddenly want to make that climb, I was still sore and weak, but I did want to be with God, I did to want to trust in Him and follow Him up that hill. He never fails to show up when we need Him, even when we don’t see all the ways He is helping us, lifting us, supporting us. He is there. Always. In all the ways we need Him.

Sometimes God calls us to overwhelming hills for a reason. Today I needed to remember that I can not do all things in my own strength but I CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me. If you are facing something that is too big today, remember, you are not alone…

Ephesian 1: 19-20

“ I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.”

If God can raise Jesus from the dead He can surely get us up every hill we need to climb, every mountain we face and every overwhelming obstacle in our path.  

When we stand at the top of our respective hills, and the pain eases, and the struggle is over, let’s not forget the One who got us there. The hills we climb in our own power may build our physical endurance, but the hills we climb by the power of God build our souls and our faith and in every case, get us where we need to go.

Ephesian 3:20

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”

Thank you God that when we are weak, you are strong. Thank you that we can call on you and count on you. Thank you for the hills we face and the hardship we overcome by your Grace and your strength. You are mighty and merciful and we know we can put our trust in you. May we always choose to walk with you Lord, no matter how hard the climb, no matter how far we are from where we need to be. In Jesus name, AMEN.