Rock Climbing

I have a little story for you:

Here at UNI, they have this thing called the Rock Wall. UNI students and the public are all allowed access to rock climb. Well, on this particular day, me and a friend of mine were feelin pretty adventerous so we got pumped, prepared, and ready to go. I was feelin pretty good and pretty safe. The guy helping did a test repel to make sure it was secure and that he could get me if I fell. I felt pretty secure with my life in his hands. I started climbing up the wall at a decent pace. I felt good about my climb and was pretty sure I was going to make it to the top. It wasn't until I was half way up that I started to get a little scared and uneasy. I wasn't sure where to put my foot next. I was a little hesitant to make any move because I didn't know which way to go.

 The guy down at the bottom yelled up "put your foot on the white rock to your left!!". I wanted to do what he told me, but I was still hesitant because I didn't think I could do it. He gave me encouragement again saying "just do it quickly! I promise I got you. You won't fall!" So I took the risk and did what he said. And, of course, he was right. Putting my foot in that spot helped me to get closer to my goal which was reaching the top. So I kept on climbing. Slowly, but steadily.

 Then I got toward the very top and suddenly got really scared. I was freaking out in a way. It was probably a funny sight to see. I kept telling the guy that I couldn't do it! I didn't want to give up but i literally couldn't do it. My arms were weak, my legs were sore; this was going to be impossible. I thought I should just give up and go back down. I didn't want to do that..but I had to. I literallly could NOT do it.

 But the guy down below kept yelling up at me "you can do it! you got this!" and no matter how many times I said I can't, he said YOU CAN! I forced myself to climb a little bit higher but it was just too much. I couldn't do it without his help! He kept telling me "You're not gonna fall! Just keep climbing! I got you. Don't worry. You're NOT going to fall." Everytime I would take a step, I could feel my harness lift me up a bit and that really helped. That guy was helping me along.

 There was only a couple feet in my way before I could touch the rock. Basically, I could jump and I would touch it. I thought, there's no way! i'm not going to reach it! I was weak, tired; barely able to keep my grip. It took all that was in me to hold on. But the guy, in his usual calm, clear voice, would yell up to me "now just jump! That's it! Just jump! You're almost there. I got you. Don't worry." I was so overwhelmed with part of me saying I can't while the guy who was holding me up saying i can.

 Once I finally convinced myself, i jumped. I took the chance. The first time I didn't make it all the way, but the guy was there to catch me and told me to keep going. So I jumped again and I FINALLY touched the top. I accomplished my goal and it was the greatest feeling in the world!! The pain it took to get up there meant nothing because I made it and it was all worth it.

 When I thought about this later, I came to a realization: this is alot like how our relationship with God is.

 There are times were you're on the climb with God and everything seems to be going just fine. No major problems yet. But then you hit a stopping point where you just aren't sure which way to go. "God where do you want me to go? What should I do?" and,while you pause and rest in the arms of God, not worrying aboout it, he comes through for you and guides your foot, sending you back on your way. So you keep on climbing toward the top, even though the times keep getting harder and harder to the point where you just can't do it anymore! You're scared, nervous, unsure if God is there to help you through it. But as soon as you take that step, he helps you along and was there with you the whole time. You keep on climbing even though the world is starting to get you down and you are nothing but scared and anxious. Wondering, "what do you want from me god? show yourself now when I need you the most! I need your help because I REALLY cant do this alone!". Truth is, all God wants from you is to trust him by taking that leap of faith to the top. He's there to catch you if you fall and he knows that all this pain will be worth it if you just KEEP GOING to the promised completion. And when you finally take that leap of faith and realize that you made it, you know that it was all worth it. God knew your every step, your every mess up, your every hesitance, your every doubt, and every fall. He knew all of this was going to happen but in order to get to the end, you just gotta trust in HIm. Trust his guidence. Trust that he knows where your going.

 And even at the top when the devil says "you can't do it. stop trying. you're not going to make it"....remember that God is saying "I'm with you, you CAN do this. I won't let you fall! I'm here every step of the way. Just keep going"

 Knowing that there's a promised completion... whose voice are YOU going to listen to? :)