(Please read this poem from the bottom to the top. Then, scroll back down to read the commentary.)
SUCCESS!
And screamed
She raised her hands on top of the mountain
Muscles ached, mouth dry, happy with her progress
At this point, she couldn't lose
A few more strategic moves
“One leg at a time, one step at a time, one climb at a time”
Unsighted
She recited
Under the shadow
That the end was approaching, eventually
There was no way for her to see
The sunlight was hidden by a cliff
Can’t stare too long, success was even higher
She looked up at the heavens to admire
She completed her rest
Encouraged by her progress
She rested and examined how far she was from her starting point
Her legs were tired; there was a pull in her joints
“One leg at a time, one step at a time, one climb at a time”
Took a deep breath and recited
She replenished with a cool swig of water from her canister
The sun, bright heavy and round
Wiped the sweat from her brow
No problem, she looked down
A few feet off the ground
The beginning was easy enough
“One leg at a time, one step at a time, one climb at a time.”
She heard the voice of her instructor,
She hooked on her straps and began the climb
Refusing self-defeat
There was an immediate sense to RETREAT
Overwhelmed by this incredible feat
She looked up at her task
THE CLIMB by Yvonne Marie
COMMENTARY
Maybe you are looking at your task, challenge, or mountain and thinking, "RETREAT!" You have prayed for God to move it, change it, reconfigure it, make it easier or make it disappear, but it’s still there. Well, think about this…maybe this mountain was meant for you to experience, endure, or enjoy. Remember, God’s desire is for us to prosper and be successful in whatever He has called us to do. Therefore, with every difficulty or challenge of life, He is right there with us. So, conquer your mountain, you’ve got the best instructor with you, teaching, encouraging, and loving you along the way.
• Remember the Word of the Instructor
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8
The Word of God is our instruction manual for life’s challenges. Reading it daily will equip you for whatever you face. Waiting until the day of the climb to open up the instruction manual is a poor choice many of us make. Instead, God wants you to meditate on His Word so that it might resonate and resurface during times when your mind is far from that which is godly. Meditating on the Word of God takes you from being overwhelmed by life’s challenges to having confidence in what you are able to do with God on your side. When the spirit of fear tries to keep you from moving forward, remember the Word and make it personal, “God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and a sound mind!” (2 Tim. 1:7). When you are stressed and worried about how things are going to work, and what will happen next, say to yourself, “I will not worry about this. Instead I am going to keep talking to you Lord, and thanking you in advance.” (Phil. 4:6). And there are going to be times when you will be blind, and you will have to make choices and decisions. During those times, say to yourself, “Lord, you said in your Word that if I lack wisdom, I should ask you for it, and you will give it to me generously…Lord, I need you to give me a super dose of wisdom!” (James 1:5). Meditating on God’s Word will set your mind on Him and the power He’s given to you to succeed, instead on the enormous task which leaves you with an overwhelming sense to retreat.
• Drink from the Living Water
Anyone who is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him. John 7:37-38.
The Holy Spirit brings us a refreshing drink that quenches thirst like no other. Just as water naturally resuscitates the muscles, clarifies the mind, and cleanses the organs, so does the Holy Spirit supernaturally revive our spirits, illuminate our souls, and purify our hearts. Once you have accepted Christ as your Savior, the infilling of the Holy Spirit is immediate. The Holy Spirit will never leave, but unlike natural water, He will only bring life where He is welcomed. Will you allow Him to guide you? Will you allow Him to consume your thoughts? Will you allow Him to strengthen you? We are given supernatural strength through the Holy Spirit to do extraordinary tasks. Remember when the Holy Spirit gave the disciples the power to “go and make disciples of all nations”? (Matt. 28:16-20). Throughout the Old Testament, before the indwelling of the Spirit within the believer, the Holy Spirit came upon specific individuals with the power to strengthen them in battle, conquer cities, and prophecy. As you climb, listen to the Voice, the Comforter, Friend, Encourager, and Counselor who gives you the power to conquer, the strength to endure, and the focus to succeed.
• Be encouraged by how far God has brought you from your starting point
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, and his love endures forever. Psalm 107:1
Some say, “the past is the past and never look back.” However, looking back can have its advantages. Retrospection not only encourages you to move forward, but it also brings about thankfulness for how far God has brought you. Throughout the Scriptures, many have recounted to works of the Lord. The author of Psalms 107 knew some things about looking back and giving thanks! He recalls the sadness, misery, despair, and sinfulness from which Israel was delivered by the hand of the Lord. And in each recollection of individual issues, problems and situations, the psalmist gives thanks for God’s unfailing love. Read through this Psalm, and you may find the psalmist describing you at some point in your life. Now think back through your life. Think of all the challenges He's seen you through. Give thanks to the Lord, and be encouraged that He didn’t bring you all this way for you to fail!
Friend, God has given you everything you need to reach SUCCESS. He’s given you his Word from which you can follow His clear instructions for every life challenge. He’s given you His Holy Spirit; drink and be filled with guidance, encouragement, counsel, and supernatural abilities. And He’s given you a testimony, and with that comes the confidence in knowing that just like before, He will see you through to the top of your mountain.
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