Lessons from Stone Mountan

I recently climbed Stone Mountain.  Wow! Spiritual lessons abounded as I traversed the face of a 300,000,000 year old piece of granite.  I'd like to share some of these with you. 

I find that I have much in common with weather rock that comprises the mountain.  As time passes the rock has been exposed to more elements parts of the rock have become fragile and break easily.  Only the parts of the rock that are firmly attached don't break off.  This is much like my relationship with God: when I am deeply rooted in Him it is not easy to break away because I am securely planted in Him and His word. 

The trees grow crazily on the side of Stone Mountain!  Trees that I judged, at a glance as dead, are not dead.  They are quite alive.  They just don't grow in the manner that I am used to seeing or that I think they should grow.  Some of these trees are growing in L or J shapes but they are alive.  How many times do I judge those around me because they don't look like I think they should look? 

The hardest lesson I learned was that I am out of shape.  Period.  I knew in my head that I was out of shape and I only look or give the appearance of  being somewhat out of shape but putting my physical abilities to the test of the mountain proved otherwise. Wow!!!  How is this like my spiritual life?  I give the perception of being spiritually in shape but when the storm comes my responses and my perseverance reveal the true nature of my spiritual health. 

The best lesson that I learned from the mountain is this:  stick it out.  We struggled, sweated, and climbed our way to the top of the mountain.  The hardest part was immediately before we crested the last rise; this section required more effort and concentration than the lower parts of the mountain.  When we came around the last corner, however, the view was phenomenal.  Standing high above birds and cities and being able to see for miles was amazing.  This lesson?  Walking with Jesus is worth all of the sweat, effort, sacrifice, and more that He requires of us.  There is nothing that will ever be better than when we come to the end of our journey and see what He has had in store for us all along. 

Thank God for Stone Mountain.  Thank Him for lessons learned.  I hope that these help you in your walk today.