Uphill, Downhill

Many people will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths…”  Isaiah 2: 3

During one of my recent hikes, I was climbing up a steep hill. It is one of the most arduous hikes I’ve undertaken as the ascent is steadily steep for more than 300 feet. The gentle Holy Spirit prompted me to look at my posture as I was climbing up the hill. I was hunched forward with my knees slightly bent and my head bent low. Even though, I tried to look up and walk, I couldn’t do it for long. The only time I looked up was to assess the distance to reach the top of that hill. And so I forged ahead until I reached the top of the hill.

I was reminded of the story of Abraham when he took his son Isaac to sacrifice on Mount Moriah. As he ascended that mountain, he must’ve been walking in the same posture as I did; unaware of what lay ahead on top of the hill. A God who granted him a son in old age has now commanded him to sacrifice that very son on the top of the mountain. A perplexing situation but Abraham never questioned God instead obeyed Him. Somewhere along that ascension, Abraham must’ve realized that a God, who could provide him with a son in his old age, is well able to provide either with a sacrifice or another son to replace Isaac. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have assured his son Isaac when the boy questioned about the lamb.

Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” Genesis 22: 8

As we go through life, many a times we are climbing uphill, oblivious of what lay ahead. If we are not ascending to the mountain of the Lord, then we will miss out the promises and blessings that await us there. We are so accustomed to mediocrity that we dread to let ourselves step out in faith into oblivion. We contend ourselves with what we have. We assure ourselves that that is our lot and shouldn’t dream bigger. How disappointed must God be when He looks at us! Promise of a better life filled with abounding spiritual blessings, health and prosperity, and much more await us on top of that mountain that we are so reluctant to ascend. All God wants us is obey His call and start ascending, hunched forward, head bowed and on bended knees.

When Abraham was about to sacrifice Isaac on top of Mount Moriah, the angel of the Lord stopped him. God provided a ram. Father and son sacrificed the ram as a burnt offering instead. This experience led Abraham to believe and proclaim with confidence, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” Genesis 22: 14. The question that begs to be asked is, “what is stopping us to make that ascension?”

When I reached that hill top, I was left breathless of the beauty and magnificence that lay around and below me. From that pinnacle, I could see the beauty of God’s creation in all directions without any obstructions resulting in a changed perspective. From up there, all my problems seem so distant and small as I gazed at the beauty around me. I could see the easing of the traffic jams on the freeways ahead. I could see every bend in the road that I frequently travel. Everything from up there seemed plausible. Even on the distant horizon where the ocean meets the sky, I couldn’t discern the dividing line.

Now I could see what God wants me to see: HIM. Realized that God is bigger than anything we can see. From His perspective, all worries are trivial. Every obstacle can be conquered. We can turn fearlessly at life’s every blind corner. With that newly gained confidence in the Lord who provides, I started descending that hill. Once again, the gentle Holy Spirit reminded me of my posture. Now my shoulders are back, my legs straightened and I was leaning back to balance. My gait is confident as I have trodden that path already, fully aware of every bend, turn or obstacle that lay on the path.

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8: 18

Forge ahead, my dear brothers and sisters, for the Lord who provides will meet you on top of the mountain. Let us learn His ways so we can walk in His paths. Abraham descended Mount Moriah joyful and confident in the Lord who provides.