It’s Not Enough!

You’re a thousand miles away tonight.  I stretch out my hand, but you don’t take hold.  I look to the skies and see beauty, but you’re missing.  The wind stirs the leaves in the trees all around me, but you no longer dance on the breeze.  I’m empty.  The fire is gone.  How could you leave me?  You knew I would need you right now.  Where do I go?  How do I continue?  How do I start again?  All I see is this massive mountain before me, the desert behind me, and crowded woods surrounding me.  Where did you go?

Keep walking.

 

Twigs slap at my face.  Thorns tear at my limbs.  Rocks catch on my feet and make me stumble.  Fallen trees beat my legs.  Snarled branches keep the sun from me.

 

Step out of the forest.

 

Miles of land lead to the mountain.  I don’t have the strength to make it in this open area.  It’s too far of a walk.  The sun burns my skin.  It’s too bright out here.  Where am I supposed to go?

 

Stop walking and run!

 

My legs burn.  I don’t have the energy for this.  My chest hurts.  There’s not enough oxygen in the air.  Sweat stings my eyes.  Okay, I’m at the mountain.  It’s so tall.

 

Climb!

 

The ground is unstable.  The earth slips beneath my weight.  My fingers are bleeding from clawing at gravel and gripping jagged boulders.  My knees hurt from lifting my weight higher.  I look back and fear falling to my death.  Bats escape a cave and slap at my head.  Small trees uproot when I try to get a hold of something to pull myself higher.  My arms hurt.  The top appears, but there’s nothing up there.  I finally reach level ground and fall to back.  I’m exhausted.

 

Catch your breath.  Lay there for a moment.  Rest.

 

I’m so tired.

 

Now, stand up.  Get to your feet.

 

But I’m—

 

Stop talking and look around.

 

Thick clouds hover above my head.  I reach up and touch them.  Cold moisture covers my hands and erases the cuts.  I turn to see a rainbow in the distance.  The beautiful colors somehow relax the aching muscles in my arms and legs.  I take a deep breath.  The clean air relaxes my lungs.  My chest no longer hurts.  A gust of wind knocks me to a sitting position.  The breeze washes away the gashes and bruises on my legs.  I sit and look at the forest in the distance.  It seems so small from up here.

 

I brought you to this place to show you something.  Do you see where you came from?  Remember the struggle in the woods?  Remember dreading the run?  Remember climbing this mountain?  Look closer.  The forest should have killed you.  The open field should have consumed you.  The mountain should have shaken you off.  But they didn’t.  You were not alone.  What do you see from here?

 

Tears stream down my face.  My body grows warm as you wrap your arms around me.  I see defeat.  I see impossibilities.  I see death.  I see that I couldn’t see a way through all that.

 

I am the way.

 

The darkness surrounding my journey dissolves.  A great light transforms all below to majesty.  I see strength developed from the journey through the forest.  I see endurance given from the journey across the field.  I see perseverance gained from the journey up the mountain.

 

You see victory with Me.  Now, go back.  But this time realize that I am with you.  This time do not try to do it on your own.  Open your eyes and see the struggle as I do; a blessing.  During the climb I will be the solid ground beneath your feet.  During the run I am your strength.  In the darkness I am the light.  In the your struggle I am your faith.  I am the way.  And the truth.  And I am your life.