The first time I climbed Mt. Hood, to save money, I borrowed someone else’s back pack. The straps were made of canvas with no padding. After climbing all night–we’d left at midnight from Timberline–at last we were getting close to the top. About thirty minutes and we’d be there. But my shoulders were killing me, the thin canvas straps pinched my shoulders and the pack felt like a hundred pounds. “I don’t think I can go on,” I told my husband.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“My shoulders hurt so bad,” I whined. He grabbed my backpack, took it off of my shoulders, and tossed it alongside a bank of snow.
“We’ll pick it up later,” he said.
The relief when that backpack was removed was unbelievable! I felt like I could fly, it was such a relief. Up the “hogs back” we slogged. Then the “chute.” At last, our climb leader shouted in the thin air, absorbing his voice so it sounded like a whisper declared, “Congratulations! You’ve made it to the top!”
What a relief. What joy. We’d done it! I’d nearly not made it because of that old backpack with straps that had no padding.
What might be preventing us from moving upward? A secret habit that weighs us down? That is preventing us from finishing a task?
There are always things that can discourage me. Can slow me down. Even make me want to quit.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us (Hebrews 12:1 NLT).
“Lord, as we begin a new year, help us to know what can prevent us from getting to the top. Help us strip off what is slowing us down–especially the sin that trips us up. In the name of Jesus, amen.”
Enjoy the song below:
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Amen. Happy New Year!
God blessed Josh Grobin with a beautiful voice – the song brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for another beautiful post, Shirley. So thankful God is in my life – I’ve called on Him alot these past 4 months and He has never failed me. When I got into the car after my first radiation treatment I turned on the radio and it was playing my favorite Christmas song – O Holy Night, by Josh Grobin. The timing was so perfect as I became a little teary eyed and the song comforted me and I believe it was God’s timing to have that song be on right at that time when He knew I needed it. Thank you for all your uplifting posts.
Judy, so glad you have the Lord to lean on through this difficult time in your life. I’m so glad the songs have helped. Music always touches me in that way, too. Hugs to you! Shirley
Happy New Year to you, too!
Warmly,
Shirley
Thanks for this encouraging post. The song was very uplifting. I just shared it with my brother’s wife in Wisconsin who just lost her husband, my brother. The day he passed, I kept thinking of the song A Mighty Fortress is Our God and it was played at his memorial without any input from me. I listen to Family Radio and was also comforted by the song Fear Not by Point of Grace, which I don’t think I’d ever heard. It’s so beautiful how God can give us just the right song to uplift us when we need it most.
Thank you,
Karen.
I”m so glad you were encouraged! Music always helps me in so many ways, but especially when I hear words about our Lord!