Why God Made Mountains

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ”

1 Peter 1:6-7


Being a pastor I find myself almost daily listening to heartbreaking stories of individuals dealing with what would appear to be insurmountable circumstances. More than once I found myself as I am studying the book of Job for our mid week study on Wednesday nights being reminded that God gives us some life lessons with the hope that we learn their deeper truth so we can help the hurting and better equip the strong to minister to both the saint and sinner. Studying the events of Jobs life that take place in the first few chapters of the book that bares his name, we learn rather quickly that life is no respecter of persons and that pain and suffering are as common as the cold to each of our lives. All around the world today the majority of humanity is facing an uphill battle of some sort just trying to make it through the day.

As I was going through some quotes on struggling to encourage my climbing companions the Lord has placed along side me on my own mountain, I ran across a story about an elderly Negro woman in the south who was sharing with a young man about the trials we all experience in life. She said to this young boy, “If the mountain was smooth you couldn’t climb it”. I love it, so simple, yet so true. Her words brought to mind an old song by the same name, “Mountains” by the musical group, “Lonestar." Its a real oldie but goodie and the words go like this,


“There are times in life when you gotta crawl,
Lose your grip, trip and fall
When you can't lean on no one else,
That's when you find yourself
I've been around and I've noticed that
Walk-in's easy when the road is flat
Them danged 'ole hills will get you every time.
Yeah, the good Lord gave us mountains so we could learn how to climb.”


Yes, loved one, sometimes in life we all just have to crawl and I pray as you do that you remember that the good Lord gave us mountains so we could learn how to climb. God didn't place mountains in our path to discourage us or to get us to quit. God places mountains in our lives to teach us to trust, to walk by faith and to help us learn how to cry out to God for help. Know this loved one, no matter trial you may be facing, no matter how high the mountain in front of you may appear to be, God is there to help you get to the top. The key to conquering your mountain is to not try going it alone. Rely on God's strength as you face the trials of today and keep in mind the words of the apostle Paul who wrote to the church at Philippi… You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Keep climbing!

We are one day closer than when we first believed…

I LOVE YOU!