(Philippians 3 v 12 – 16 )
The words of my friend are still echoing in my head even though it was 3 days ago.
“Keep going”
“Don’t stop”
We were ascending steeply, and this upward struggle was without any rehearsal
One moment, I was being transported with my friends in a warm vehicle
The next, I was on a path to the top of a mountain : Snowdon
The highest peak in England and Wales.
And, I don’t do this sort of thing.
My friend gets out some over – sweet glucose gel and persuades me to swallow all of it.
And I imagine being airlifted off the side of the mountain because now, I feel sick as well as wasted.
The problem was that my heart, although healthy, was not used to this kind of exertion
Not used to the upward journey
Only the Reasonably Flat Not Too Strenuous type
Within 10 minutes of reaching the summit, all was well.
And I looked around at what must be some of the most beautiful scenery to be found.
Of course it was worth it and I did not want to leave.
Walking with Jesus can contain the “upward factor” and I sometimes want to give up when it does.
It’s too hard on the heart.
But, there are friends who know what the view can be like from the top
Because they’ve persevered before.
Like Paul we must not even consider quitting in this journey with God.
The view from the top is just too good, and when we get there we won’t want to leave.
And of course we won’t have to.