The Mountain.

Have you ever stood on top of a mountain? Looked out to see all God's Glory on display? I have. Once in summer church camp we took a hike up to the highest part of the trail on the mountain and we could see the world from up there...okay maybe not the world but certainly a lot of the forest and 3 crystal clear lakes that seemed to be untouched by human existence. It was so gorgeous. Peaceful and serene. But getting there that was another story!
   We hiked for about 2 hours. Traversing huge rocks and ducking under fallen trees and a few times the trail went too close to the edge for comfort. We were constantly on the look out for mountain lions and bears. It was a regular wizard of oz experience..Lions and Tigers and Bears OH MY! okay without the tigers, but you get the picture. Our Leader just kept saying, it will be worth it when you get to the top. 
   A few times we questioned if "the top" really existed or if this was just some ploy to get us out of the rec hall and into nature! "Just keep going, were almost there" he'd say encouragingly. At a high altitude that none of us were accustomed to we stopped a few times and every time there were one or two people saying, "Go one without us, were just too tired to go." A few asked if we were lost and going in circles. 
     Then at long last, there it was. THE TOP. It was everything He promised and more. And though the climb was grueling to say the least, it was all worth it in the end.
   Sometimes life is like a trek up the mountain. There are dangers along the way and often time it ventures too close to the edge. But if you just keep pressing through, You'll find the whole world laid out in front of you, at the top.