Ever since my daughter and her husband were stationed in Okinawa, she has been preparing for one thing or another. She had classes that helped with living in a foreign country and how to drive on the opposite side of the road. She had safety sessions on tsunamis and typhoons. She took courses on how to scuba dive and learned to row on a paddle boat team. Whatever she needed to know or wanted to learn, she worked to be ready when and if the time came to use her lessons.
Her most recent adventure, was climbing Mt. Fuji. Once again, she studied about how to avoid altitude sickness and what equipment she would need on the hike. She trained with a small team on steps called, “Highway to Heaven” in Okinawa. Each climb up those steps strengthened her body for the adventure. If she wanted to enjoy the view from the top, she had to put in the work. A LOT of work!
The day of the climb it was raining and cold. It rained almost the entire hike up. Frustration for one, was overcome by encouragement from those on the team. Yet, on the morning they reached the summit, they were able to witness a glorious sunrise. “His mercies are new every morning” are the words that fill my heart and soul each time I see that amazing sunrise image. It’s as if she could walk out on the clouds and life begin anew.
Our faith journey is really no different. It’s an adventure full of challenges and rough terrain. If we want to understand what walking with Christ in the here and now looks like, we have to put in the work. We need to study, read, and pray. We need to find faith partners who help encourage us on this challenging walk toward the cross. We need to worship and let others see Christ in us whether in service or in how we face difficulties. Those who are yearning for what our God offers, watch US for clues.
We all know the view in the end will be well worth all the aches, pains, and coldness of this life we experience. We also know that the important work happens here and now, right? I pray that as we all fumble our way toward the summit, we find a supportive team to encourage us, to hold us accountable, to learn with us, and to love our neighbors with us. Embrace the mercies this new day offers and get about the prep work for eternity.
“The Lord’s kindness never fails! If he had not been merciful, we would have been destroyed. The Lord can always be trusted to show mercy each morning.” Lamentations 3: 22-23 CEV
If you would like to view past editions of A Message from Kim, follow this link: https://sounddistrictnc.org/category/from-district-lay-leader/
If you would like to connect with Kim please do so through her email, k.smith@nccumc.org