Mountains. They are the opposite of the flat coastlines of Florida. They are both beautiful and harsh in their nature. Very few humans and animals live in the higher elevations due to the weather and lack of oxygen. There have been times in my own life where I have scaled actual mountains thinking this is impossible. I once had to meet my companions at the top of Brown mountain in Wyoming. I was so tired I remember putting my foot down and my leg collapsing underneath me due to exhaustion. With the help of my companions we made it to the top but it was a challenge. Many times Scripture will refer to the challenges in our lives as mountains.

Psalm 121:1–4 (NIV): 1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains— 

         where does my help come from? 

      2 My help comes from the LORD, 

         the Maker of heaven and earth. 

      3 He will not let your foot slip— 

         he who watches over you will not slumber; 

      4 indeed, he who watches over Israel 

         will neither slumber nor sleep.

As we journey through we will face mountains in our lives. We can find we are discouraged to climb and we can feel alone in the journey. The Psalmist reminds us to take heart and to remember where our strength comes from. God does not sleep and he sees our journey and our mountains. Sometimes the help that he sends to us is in the companions that travel with us. Sometimes He gives us the strength to do what we think we cannot achieve on our own and sometimes He gives us peace that goes past any understanding. God is not asleep on your journey but near to the traveler. So look up, get up, and take another step. I see the mountain but I also see my God who will walk with me on this journey.

Pastor Aaron