ascend the mountain

ascend the mountain.

succumb to the switchbacks.

switchbacks. as you ascend it gets steeper but each turn comes quicker.
on one side of our mountain climbs, we are facing the pains and hurts and struggles of life, the depth of depravity. on the other side, we arrive at a place that looks like open-handed peace, the end of ourselves and fullness of God.

we swing back and forth.

Jesus modeled the both/and. the point at the top of the mountain where ‘take this cup’ and ‘not my will’ coexist.

intensity of pain + sincerity of surrender.

ascending the switchbacks - each time you feel on the same side of the mountain, it takes reflection to see you are actually higher. notice your gained perspective. and the journey to the next junction is quicker. higher elevation is more vulnerable and more exposed. but the view is clearer. the call is higher.
Jesus compels us always upward. this is trusting desire.

the trek is the forming process.
lean into the sandpaper.

sandpaper feels like conflict, challenge, hardship, and is quite uncomfortable. lean in so the sandpaper can do its work of refining, confirming, strengthening.
let it smooth and work out the hang ups, snags, splinters, knobs.
it’s processing you for your purpose. commit to curiosity - lean in.
Jesus invites us towards him. this is surrender to the sanctifying.
ascend the mountain.