Laken and I are just a young couple from the Midwest who decided to name our blog “Over the Mountain.” Why you may ask? Well, we will be the first to tell you we know very little about mountains outside a few family vacation to visit them for a couple of days. The closest thing that we can compare mountains to are the large hills that run through the cornfield in our little Illinois towns (and they hardly compare). So why name a blog around the subject of mountains? Because we are drawn to them. If you walk past a classroom on our small college campus you are guaranteed to see us staring out the window, dreaming of what life is like in the mountains. The mountains, to us, are mysterious and gigantic... but we want to know more. We want to know more about these magical creations of God, and to protect and appreciate all that He offers us through the beautiful landscapes. We also believe that we are longing for the mountains because they describe our faith and view of Christ in three huge ways... 1.) God is mysterious and gigantic. God blessed me with an amazing opportunity last summer when I got to serve at Timber Wolf Lake, a Young Life camp in northern Michigan, for a month. This month blessed me with full conversations with some of the most Christ-centered people I know. One conversation stood out to me because it helped me grasp my view on Christ a little bit better. My intern Thomas (great guy, hi Thomas) asked me a simple question.. “What is your favorite aspect of nature?” I answered back after some thought, “Mountains." I had to give a reason for my answer, and then Thomas explained what my answer meant; an interesting conversation starter of his. The view I had on the mountains were similar to my view on God, he explained. The answer I had made sense to me and it opened a rich conversation. I described the mountains as mysterious and gigantic and I felt myself being drawn to them because I know the adventure that they offer me. Wait, how is God mysterious? Doesn’t He want to make himself known to us? Job 11:7 it says “Can you discover the depths of God? Can you discover the limits of the Almighty?” God wants to be known and wants us to know Him, but wants us to come to Him through our own journey. The way we come to know Christ and the way He works in everyday life is all so mysterious to us. Everyone has their own story about how they came to know Christ; this, to me, is the best mystery of them all. Another reason I believe my description of mountains and my view on God are so relatable is because of the ADVENTURE they both offer. Today’s society often boasts that the Christian lifestyle is not fun, that it offers no adventure.. but my belief is the total opposite. I came to know Christ broken and alone, I wanted my life to be more than what I saw around me. God revealed to me that the adventure that He has planned for me is greater than I can ever imagine. Matthew 6:34 says "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious in itself." Living out each day as God’s plan for me has resulted in new journeys, new people, and a more meaningful life. 2. Our faith has highs - like the peaks of mountains "I lift my eyes up to the hills - from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heave and heart." -Pslam 121:1-2 At the peak of hikes or climbs, there are glorious views. Moments of reflection, peace, and examination hits as you take it all in. The body, mind, and soul are tired from the seemingly endless battle you went through to get to the top. This description reminds me of the path that my faith has travelled. I am tired, broken physically and spiritually, from the battle going on in my heart. But here I am enjoying the view and changing the way I look at life. What exactly can my faith find at the top of the mountain? Rest. Matthew 11:28-30 says "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." When your faith reaches a certain point, rest is needed. Rest provides us with a feeling of closeness to Him because He restores us with his gentle and humble heart. The Bible gives us a specific story when Jesus went to the mountains with Peter, James, and John (Matthew 17). Crowds have been following them after the feeding of the five thousand, waiting for the next miracle. Therefore Jesus and his disciples needed rest. At the top of the mountain they witnessed a prophetic moment when Moses and Elijah appeared. Two of Israel’s greatest heroes, deceased, standing there talking with Jesus. The beauty and power behind this moment is often experienced at the top of spiritual mountains. The top of the mountains are also used to change our faith, to strengthen it. These moments are also used to prepare us for the journey back down the mountain. We also get to experience life changing events that strengthen our relationship with Christ. Though leaving the top of the mountain is always challenging, the mountain top experiences are used to prepare us for these valleys where God’s work takes place. 3.) Between the mountains
Timber Wolf Lake has been the definition of a mountain top to me. The month I spent on this mountain enabled me to grow in my faith and prepare me for life after my mountain top. The funny thing is… at the end of the month I was scared to leave my mountain top. In the valley, between the mountains, people get caught up in the materialistic things that are soon to pass. Both Laken and I have been to the peak of our mountains, witnessed God’s glory, and gave our life to following Jesus Christ. We are feeling our hearts being pulled down between the mountains, leading a Christ-filled life and showing those wandering in the valley how great the trip to the top of the mountain is. Matthew 28:19-20 says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of age.” In the valley, we are not alone. Matthew says that Christ is “with you always, to the end of age.” Living as an example, proclaiming all that He has provided us, is where we are feeling called. The journey, an adventure that we are trusting in His hands, is one we are excited to live out (and blog out too!). The most comforting thing is, we know we are not alone because we have each other… and Him. We understand that our articles may not appeal to everyone, or that some may disagree with what we are talking about. We love feedback, we want to hear your opinions, we thank you. God bless you. -BH
4 Comments
Mama Egg
2/12/2016 05:40:20 pm
Love everything about this! Thank you for sharing your story. Can't wait to read more.
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J Hibbs
2/12/2016 11:08:18 pm
I loved reading your blog and can't wait to read more about your adventures! Thank you for sharing your journey!
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KGeorge
3/12/2016 11:30:11 pm
You two have wholesome hearts, and even stronger minds. Together you are going to do great things. Much love..
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SharlaD.
4/12/2016 06:17:21 pm
So excited about your blog but more excited to hear about your faith adventure! Life does have its peaks and valleys but we must experience Christ in both to fully feel his complete love for us! God Bless your journey!
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