Climbing the Mountain

Last Friday was full of adventure, one that was quite unexpected to say the least. Sam and myself packed up our clothes and jumped into Pastor Dan's truck. We ventured off into the twin cities to find our destination.

The trip was relatively unknown for the most part, but slight whispers of what it might be quietly surfaced. We spent a whole week trying to figure out what the Burn event weekend would be, but a small slip up by one of our own directors would spill the beans. Needless to say excitement rushed over me as the words "Rock climbing" blurted out.

Rock Climbing?!

If you don't feel some kind of joy by that statement alone, then I don't know what to say.

As we reached our destination, an unknown fear consumed me. The giant "What if" becomes a over powering beast with almost more insight then you can imagine. If I wasn't around the people I was, I think I would of just walked right out of there and not even give it a seconds hesitation. But I was determined to go through with it, why give up such a great opportunity such as this? One of the employees took us around and showed us the gist of things, the do's and dont's. Within seconds we were off on our own, jumping and climbing anything in sight. Climbing was a lesson in itself, putting all your strength into one single move just to move yourself. Before you know it your fingers start to give out on you, then your fore arms follow suit. Strength alone wont get you to the top, not unless your some kind of freak of nature. No, your will power will have to keep you going.

I was glad when we moved onto bouldering, unlike rock climbing we didn't have to hang so far off the ground. Bouldering reminded me of climbing tree's, Sam and his older brother Jordan were climbing over every little thing. It was like we were all five years old again trying to out do one another in how far up we could climb.

By the time we were done I had forgotten all about the momentary fear and just let myself have a good time. It wasn't a matter of facing a fear, but simply having faith that nothing would go wrong. When I let that be my theme for the night I was able to move on and enjoy the rest of the night.

Obedience.

Our society teaches us that we are our own boss, we are the ones in control of the things around us. We are the reason for all that happens in our lives. In reality, how much of a handle do we have on the things of our lives?

Its easy to take our own path, and make our own decisions. As we grow up, our school's teach us to prepare for the world, how to take on fiances, how to prepare for a career and work hard. But how many of us have woke up in the morning and asked themselves "Am I really doing the right thing?" Why do we question what we are doing when we are being prepared in school?

Something tells me were missing something in this equation.

How many of us have stumbled and fallen on our own path? Fallen into the social norms? How many of us are really as strong as we think? Do we really have what it takes to make it on our own?

At age fifteen, we are aloud to get our learner's permit. We have our first chance to be behind the wheel and feel some growth in who we are. In this process we have to take drivers ed, learn about the rules and etiquette. If you are anything like me you took that class seriously because you want your freedom, that chance to finally be able to leave your parents home on your own free will.

Once the age of sixteen hits, we all have a chance to get our licences. We no longer have any one telling us the rules, how to take a right turn, how to correctly stop and yeild for pedestrians. Of our own free will, we do what we want.

Or do we?

Of course we dont, we get in trouble if we drive on the wrong side of the road, go faster then what they have designated. Rules are still there, but now its up to us to follow them, its in our hands on whether or not we are going to disobey the law. If we do go down that road, we pay a price, a heavey price for our actions.

Just like in the case of Moses, when God first appeared to him God told him he was going to take his people out of Egypt. Free them from the actions of Pharaoh, but as Moses journey went on he struggled with what God told him to do, and in the end he couldnt go into the promise land with God's people. When Moses went on his own and did his own thing he was lost, and failed because he took out the most imporant thing.

God.

For just one second, think of all the times you choose not to walk the path God set for you and how it affected you.

Where were you without God?