Sometimes in life we choose to climb a mountain. But more often, we make choices that lead to a mountain we have to climb.
Either way, we are confronted with a terrifying prospect as we look up at the solid edifice that rears in front of us. Even if we have chosen this peak, we often have no idea of how we got there, or how we are going to conquer the challenge. Even worse we cannot see the summit of the mountain, so our way seems more impossible.
Thus we face a choice. We can listen to the strident voices warning of disaster and urging us to turn back. Or we can take the step that is the most important step of all; the first one. Courage is the name of that step as we face the fear of the unknown, of the lonely imaginings.
After climbing for a short while, we can pause and look back. See where we came from? See what has been achieved? Moving up the mountain does more than give us a sense of achievement. From each vantage point that is ever higher than the last, we can start to get a sense of the path we have travelled to bring us to this mountain. Meeting the challenge nurtures the birth of wisdom. And looking ahead, eventually we even see the summit that, until now, was just a dream. The goal that was a matter of faith becomes a matter of knowledge.
Torn fingernails, bruises, cuts, and fatigue. And maybe a price that we never expected to pay. Arrival at the summit places us somewhere beyond dreams and visions.
And maybe, just maybe, the next mountain we are to climb is made, not of solid rock, but of pure spirit.
For each of us, the mountain is unique. But no matter how lonely is our path, we are never alone.
No matter how lonely, we are never alone.