HEIGHTS

noun: an area of high ground; elevation

“He made my feet like hinds’ feet, and set me secure on the heights.”  Psalms 18:33 RSV

I smile when I remember one of our young relative’s surprising questions as we were giving him a tour of our new house. His family was visiting from the Midwest, and we were proudly showing them the peek-a-boo view of the Puget Sound we were so excited about. He looked out at our long, steep access road and innocently asked, “Did you get this house for a discount because of the hill?”

I had never thought of the hill we live on as a negative thing, although it has proved to be quite a challenge at times. Delivery trucks and emergency vehicles have a hard time maneuvering in and out, we can’t drive out when it snows, and it is a tough walk to the mailbox when I’m tired. But I wouldn’t dream of ever trading our view for a level driveway.

I started thinking more about hills and heights recently as I hiked near my favorite mountain lake on Orcas Island. My watch was measuring the elevation gain, and so was my body. The switchbacks and inclines made my breath come faster, made my heart beat faster, made my muscles ache. Going up hills is hard work.

So what compels us to climb up to the heights? The high ground? The places we have to labor to get to and sometimes struggle to stand on? Why do we want to go up there?

I guess we somehow realize that even though the climb can be painful and scary, something at the top is worth it. We endure the climb because of what we hope to see. Often a gorgeous, awe-inspiring, breathtaking view of the land or water below is the reward for our work. It’s something we could not possibly see from ground level.

And the high places that David is writing about in this Psalm? They aren’t always easy to get to either. The challenging days and sleepless nights, the times of pressure and stress, the tough relationships and depressing results–could persevering on these paths actually lead us to experience a more intimate relationship with God?

I’m starting to think so.

I can look back on the hardest times of my life and recognize how my perspective changed and how much stronger I grew through them.

The switchbacks of grief that came unexpectedly.

The rise of anxiety that was often ahead of me.

The tough climb of discouragement and exhaustion that seemed to go on too long.

It was in these times, on the way to some unexpected high places, that I gained a better understanding of who Jesus is and how he loves me.  

And the hike isn’t over yet.

As I falter and cry and struggle to find my footing, he steadies me. He makes my feet secure, he refreshes my tired soul, and he shows me truths about his heart and mine that I can’t see from anywhere else.

Because I know he is faithful to set me safely on the high places, I will keep climbing even when it’s hard.

The view is worth it.

INVITE HIM IN

Can you keep climbing too? He is with you on the challenging, uphill trail of your life today. Let him lead you and give you everything you need along the way. He will elevate your spirit to a beautiful place of closeness to him as you trust him to hold your feet securely on the heights. He’s got you.