Image by smiling_da_vinci via Flickr

As I walked along the path prescribed, I listened to the One above.  He walked along the top most part of the walls which encased my way.  The walls are built of every material known to man.  And as I looked up them, the materials became mixed together to form harder and more awesome materials. 

I remembered the day the Lord told me to climb to my left.  I looked at the mountain of sand and thought, “How could my tiny legs ever surmount that mountain of sand?”  I remembered how hard it is to walk in sand.  But the Lord told me to climb.  And, since I was desiring Him, I climbed.  Having reached the top of that mountain of sand, I thought to myself, “That was the task?  But it seems so simple now”. 

There have been many “climbings” since then.  And each one appears to be impossible at first.  But when the climb is accomplished, the task appears to be much like an evening stroll down a shaded and level path.  But it’s the initial view that is daunting. 

These climbs appear to be more and more difficult.   And the recent one was worst of all.  But isn’t that what I’ve said about every one of them?  The wall became like steel mixed with granite.  The mix was like nothing I had ever imagined before.  The surface of the wall was smooth as glass.  And the height was beyond my ability to see.  He said to me, “Climb this wall on your right”. 

Every time I tried, I would lose grip and come back down to the place of starting.    One day, after He had bid me climb again, I asked Him, “Why can’t I seem to obey what you ask?  You do not lie.  And there is no guile in You.  So why can’t I obey?”  His response was interesting and simple.  “You don’t Love Me”, He said.  “If you love Me you will obey My every command”.  This set me back a bit.  I pondered this for days.  Then it came to me.  I have been trying to do this so that I can accomplish His commands for myself.  Now I see it!  I will love Him! 

I thrust out my hand toward the wall with a vengeance.  My teeth set against each other hard.  My eyes blazing with intent.  And to my surprise, my hand penetrated the wall up to my knuckles.  I had a hand hold!  Up I went.  Hand over hand.  And my feet penetrating the glassy mix of stone and steel.  Sweat became like rain.  But my heart did not tire. 

I have reached the top now.  I know there are more climbs to endure.  But the key to this one was astoundingly simple, yet impossible to detect.  When I love Him, I can obey with ease!

By His Grace.