All Things Are Possible

I did it again though I don’t know why. Julie surmised it is a lot like childbirth. I must have forgotten what it was really like and only remembered the thrill. She must be right. (see Women vs.Wild)

Hiking Half Dome and Climbing the Cables is meant to be taken seriously. There is a sign at the bottom of the rock warning the risky to take heed to the weather. In 2007, someone died curtailing the cables in interest of a speedier descent. A speedy descent they got. Yesterday, a woman was very much afraid during her climb and held the rest of us up, hanging on, while she took each treacherous step with caution mustering her courage. Someone didn’t bring enough water and I watched another hiker give him some from his own stash. We watched some slip-n-slide down the rock on what I call “tennie runners” that lack grip.

Julie and I trained. We planned. We did our research. We bought expensive shoes. We carried lightweight packs. Julie even had the mindset to bring her SpotTracker and I had the mindset of learning how to use its 911 call capacity. It was a feat not to be taken lightly. We were as equipped as possible to make this hike and climb that rock.

So it is with our spiritual life. Once God grabs hold of you, the adventure begins. The journey with Him is treacherous, too, however. It is not meant to be a life of ease and pleasure. Life isn't meant to be taken lightly. Going out on limbs, entering the unknown, becoming not what you think you ought to be but becoming what GOD planned for you to be. Dying to self so that Christ might live in you. That really is a great adventure. It requires effort. It requires training. It requires doing your homework, so that when the tough times come, you are not left hanging by a thread but are equipped to muster courage and strength to take the next perilous step. What it most requires is trust. Climbing the cables requires trusting that they will hold you. Walking with God requires trusting He will never let you go. There is pain involved. Julie’s knees can attest to that. There is determination required when you feel like one more mile is one more mile too many. Yet, when the road comes to an end, there is also jubilation.... knowing that God chose to do the impossible through you.

Matthew 19:26
Then Jesus said, "With God all things are possible."

I think I now know why I hiked Half Dome. So God could remind me that He is my Source of courage and strength, that He will never let me go and that through Him, all things are possible.