Keep Looking Up - Part 2

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:2

Last summer, my husband, Don, and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary by visiting Lake Louise in Alberta, Canada.  Lake Louise is known for its stunning turquoise color, created by silt from glacier melt.  The scenic view truly takes your breath away! (Be sure to check out the picture at the bottom of the page.)

The lake is surrounded by various hiking trails, ranging from easy to difficult. Don and I decided it would be fun to take on the four-mile uphill climb to the charming 6 Glaciers Teahouse, which sits at an elevation of 6,890 feet above sea level. The original teahouse was constructed in 1924 by Swiss guides employed by the Canadian Pacific Railway and served as a rest stop for mountain climbers on their way to Abbots Pass.

The trail began at the Lake Louise shoreline. Initially,  the path was easy and ideal for taking in the views. However, it wasn't long before we started climbing... continuously upward.

The trail was sprinkled with tree roots and rocks, which added to the challenge of our adventure. We found ourselves on a narrow ledge with a steep drop to the left. We leaned against the rocks on the right side, very conscious of trying to maintain our balance and footing. I looked down into the gully below and felt a flutter of nerves—heights really aren't my favorite!

The scenery around us was absolutely breathtaking! No matter which way we looked, the views were simply stunning!

A few spots on the trail were covered in snow from an avalanche. I hadn’t prepared for an icy, snow-laden path. Had I done some research, I would have realized we needed walking poles. I was stuck, unsure how to navigate from point A to B without sliding down the slick surface to the gully below. Determined not to turn back, I dropped to my hands and knees, digging into the icy snow to crawl forward. Suddenly, a group of hikers with poles appeared, and to my embarrassment, they had to wait for me to finish crawling. Meanwhile, when it was their turn, they zipped by us in a flash.    

Just when I was starting to feel discouraged, I noticed a woman walking down the path. She was by herself! I mean, completely on her own! I looked at her in amazement. What incredible courage she had! I thought to myself, “Wow, this girl is really brave. So truly brave!” 

With a smile, she encouraged me, saying, “Keep going. You’re almost there. The view from the top will absolutely be worth it.”

I reminded myself to be like the Little Engine That Could, telling myself, "I think I can. I think I can." 

 And I did!

 We finally reached the charming Tea House, and I was absolutely amazed to find myself face-to-face with the breathtaking Victoria Glacier across the valley. The view took my breath away.  The journey up the mountain was more than worth it. (Pictured below.)

Reflecting on that incredible hike through the mountains, I'm reminded of our journey in life. We all have mountains to climb; some paths are smooth and easy, while others can be quite difficult, leaving us to question whether we can finish the climb successfully.

Bringing this analogy to a spiritual level, the first 34 years of my life were uneventful, but after my daughter Joy’s arrival, the journey transformed into a significant uphill struggle. I found myself taking on challenges I had never faced. Occasionally, I tripped on roots and rocks along the way, and navigating the slippery terrain was tough; there were instances when I doubted my ability to succeed.

The simple truth is that I wasn’t prepared for how challenging my journey with Joy would be. But guess what? Something important emerged from that experience: Similar to the insights I gained during my first climb at Lake Louise, I learned profound spiritual lessons in my journey with Joy—lessons I would have never found without God's blessing of her presence in my life.

When I was almost at the top of my climb to the tea house, I wanted to quit.  And I may have done it if it hadn’t been for that one person who not only encouraged me but also inspired me.  “Don’t stop climbing. Keep going. When you reach the mountaintop, it will be worth it.”

 To the person reading this, you may be in a challenging part of life’s journey and need encouragement.  I want to encourage you to keep going.  When you get to heaven, the view will be much better than a beautiful glacier or a historic tea house.  It will be a view more beautiful than anything you could ever imagine, truly the BEST IS YET TO COME!

Or, maybe you better relate to the woman coming down from the mountaintop. She was a seasoned pro, having hiked that mountain many times before. I’m so thankful for her, as she encouraged me not to quit but to persevere and finish the climb. 

If you have faced tough challenges and, through God’s grace, come out stronger in your faith, 1 Thessalonians 5:11 beautifully reminds us that God has a job for you: "...encourage one another and build each other up.” It is God’s will for us to uplift and support each other on this beautiful journey of life.

In Hebrews 12:1-2, the Bible tells us, “Therefore, let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.”

The word "therefore" serves a purpose. It signals that based on the previous verses, here’s what I would like you to do next. And what was covered in the previous chapter? A list of heroes of the faith, many of whose stories end in tragedy. (Refer to Hebrews 11:35–38 for more details about their challenges.)

Life on this side of heaven can be challenging. These faith heroes completed their journey, and even though they did not see God’s promises fulfilled during their earthly lives, their faith motivated them to keep going.

Now is our opportunity to let our faith shine, inspiring and uplifting friends, family, and everyone in our circle to influence to KEEP LOOKING UP!

Lake Louise—At the very top of the picture, you can see the stunning Victoria Glacier! We hiked 4 miles up the mountain and were right there, face to face with its majestic beauty.

Six Glaciers Teahouse. The only way to access it is by walking or riding a horse up the mountain.

Imagine standing at 6 Glaciers Tea House and taking in the breathtaking view of Victoria’s Glacier across the valley.

I invite you to join me in worship today and enjoy Chris Tomlin’s song "HOME." It beautifully reminds us that our time here is temporary, and there will be a day when God wipes away all our tears – FOREVER!

This world is not what it was meant to be
All this pain, all this suffering
There's a better place waiting for me
In Heaven

Every tear will be wiped away
Every sorrow and sin erased
We'll dance on seas of amazing grace
In Heaven
In Heaven

I'm goin' home
Where the streets are golden
Every chain is broken
Oh, I wanna go
Oh, I wanna go
Home
Where every fear is gone
I'm in your open arms
Where I belong
Home

Lay down my burdens, I lay down my past
I run to Jesus, no turning back
Thank God Almighty, I'll be free at last
In Heaven
In Heaven

I'm goin' home
Where the streets are golden
Every chain is broken
Oh, I wanna go
Oh, I wanna go
Home
Where every fear is gone
I'm in your open arms
Where I belong

Blinded eyes will finally see
The dead will rise
On the shores of eternity
The trump will sound
The angels will sing
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

I am goin' home
Where the streets are golden
Every chain is broken
Oh, I wanna go
Oh, I wanna go
Home
Where every fear is gone
I'm in your open arms
Where I belong (where I belong)
Where I belong

I'm goin' home
I'm goin' home
I'm on my way home
I'm goin' home