I imagine traveling to it on foot, crossing the desert mesa, how difficult the journey would be, but also of the joys I would encounter along the way. I imagine there would be stretches where no water could be found, where the plants are dry and the ground is dusty, but there would also be oasis’s where one could find rest and refreshment.
It would be a long journey, and my feet would surely be sore and tired upon reaching it, but once there I would stand upon the majestic mountain top, far above the cares and toils of this life.
Life is like that for the believer. This is not our home; we are pilgrims here, on a journey to our real home. There will be cares, troubles and sorrow along the way, but there will also be joy and blessings. We will go through spots where everything is dried up and looks dead and lifeless, where we struggle to find a drop of refreshment. But there will be times where we sit by the oasis and fill ourselves with cold fresh water, eat our fill and enjoy this beautiful thing called life.
I am grateful for that tall majestic mountain, and how God placed it right there, for me to gaze upon each and every time I leave my house. I am grateful for the analogy He brought to mind, of how heaven is like Mount Taylor, and life is like that huge expanse of often barren land between me and heaven.
My friends, this is not our home. We must keep our eyes on the mountain, and even when the sorrow and cares of life make it so we cannot see, we must trust that the mountain remains, and we are getting closer with each step and each breath. We were each put here for a purpose. The Westminster Confession of Faith states that our chief purpose and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy him forever.
We glorify Him by living for Him, in the good times and in the bad, trusting in His promises, trusting in His goodness, trusting in His mercy and living out our faith so that others can see Him in us.
May God bless and keep you as you travel on towards the mountain.
Lord, pour out Your blessings upon us, Your blessings of grace and mercy. Strengthen our weak hands and feet, mend our broken hearts, keep us focused on You and on finishing our race well. May we run and not grow weary. May our eyes be ever upon You, no matter the circumstances, no matter how dark it may seem to our earthly eyes. Infuse us with joy as we run towards You…always towards You, and may we hold fast to Your promise that You are preparing a place for us, and one day we will kneel before You in person, and You will welcome us home and we will reside forever more upon the beautiful mountain.
Each step I take my Saviour goes before me,
And with His loving hand He leads the way,
And with each breath I whisper "I adore Thee;"
Oh, what joy to walk with Him each day.
Each step I take I know that He will guide me;
To higher ground He ever leads me on.
Until someday the last step will be taken.
Each step I take just leads me closer home.
At times I feel my faith begin to waver,
When up ahead I see a chasm wide.
It's then I turn and look up to my Saviour,
I am strong when He is by my side.
I trust in God, no matter come what may,
For life eternal in His hand,
He holds the key that opens up the way,
That will lead me to the promised land.