Rejoice
I've gotten back into my practice of morning climbs. Heavy socks, heavy mountaineering boots, hiking pants, 2 light layers under a thin wool shirt, gaitors, warm hat, light backpack with emergency gear, crampons, hiking poles, warm gloves... this is my morning regimen of getting dressed for the climb. The photos from the top of the mountain are fantastic, but it isn't just the photos- BEING on top is fantastic. The climb itself? Not so much. Depending upon how I am feeling on a particular day, winter climbs range through a spectrum of 'unpleasant' at the good end to 'exceedingly unpleasant' at the other. It is a continuous grind of hard work.
But let me add a layer to that. Having partners to climb with is very enjoyable on top of the unpleasantness. In other words, it doesn't make the climb EASIER, but it makes it much BETTER, if that makes sense. In many ways, this life we experience is a never-ending series of climbs. We have seasons of grinding hard work (that friends make so much better) followed by seasons of being on top of the world.
If you are in a hard season, thank God that he has given you the strength to climb. If life is beautiful for you right now, thank God for the gift of being 'on top.'. Enjoy the beauty, enjoy the view looking back on what you've made your way through. Phiippians 4:4 tells us, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, rejoice!" Be blessed! -Pastor Brad
Early morning on top of the mountain with daughter Ariel.
Written on April 18, 2026
Posted in Daily Devotions