FACING THE IMPOSSIBLE
I stood at the base of the mountain and looked up at the rickety stairs that seem to reach all the way to heaven. Weeds had grown wildly in between each step and threatened to entangle anyone who attempted to climb them. “You want me to climb the side of this mountain on those things? Yeah, I don’t know about that!” I should have listened to that voice inside that said “DON’T DO IT!” But, well, the competitive me said, “Don’t be a chicken! You can do this!” So, up we climbed. I made it about halfway when my heart rate spiked into the red zone and I started getting alerts on my watch. Light-headedness settled in and I had to stop. It could have been the altitude, the fear of heights or the fact that I hadn’t really eaten breakfast. I scarfed a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and some crackers and guzzled some sports drink, which we had packed. Feeling better, my senses made me realize I needed to head back down. Lucky for me, one of my sons was feeling the same way and was ready to head down too while the rest of our group went onward and upward.
About an hour later when my feet hit solid ground, I was ready to rejoice with dancing, though my legs were shaking to bad for that so I settled for rejoicing on the inside. My son rejoiced by lying on the ground. As we rested at the bottom of the mountain, I gazed back up the steps. Could I have made it? The thought played in my mind in between shaming myself for being a wimp. I squinted looking toward the top, the rest of our group not visible, and that’s when it hit me. In life, when I come up against something that seems impossible, God doesn’t always give me an overwhelming victory in it. Sometimes, he says “this is not your “impossible” to conquer today.” I realized that he had been warning me before I had even begun the climb, but I wasn’t listening. What did he protect me from by turning me around as he did? I will never know for sure. Literally, I will never know! In the news a few months ago, I saw that the government removed all the steps leading up the mountain, deeming them unsafe. Wow! You think? Anyone with a right mind could just look at them and determine that! I am glad God shook me enough to put me back in a right mind before trying to climb all the way up.
This was a good lesson for me! I know there will be other times when I will find myself facing an impossible situation and I will pause and wait to hear from God to see if this is my “impossible” to face or not. If it is, I know it won’t be impossible with him leading the way. If it is not, I will turn and walk away with joy in my heart. “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. . . And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” (Romans 8:5 & Isaiah 30:21 ESV). “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV). Are you listening for instructions from the Holy Spirit or are you already forging ahead, stepping onto the dangerous steps of the impossible? Wait for him as you face what seems impossible, because it may not be yours to face today!