It’s the Climb

This June I went to Arizona and it was an absolute dream. I definitely didn’t think it would become one of my favourite places in the USA but it has gained a place in my heart. I highly recommend a trip there, it is so worth it.

Today, I want to share one of my favourite experiences with you and tell you about a couple of things I learned along the way.

So on Monday morning, we had an early morning wake up call for 4:30 am to catch the sunrise at Camelback Mountain in Phoenix. We woke up, got ready, and we were on the go to hike up a mountain.

We arrived at the mountain around 6 am and we started our journey to the top so determined since we had hiked the Grand Canyon 2 days ago but little did we know.

So we started our journey and about 10 mins in I realized it was not going to be easy but we kept going. As we kept up climbing I had to make several stops, asked 1038 times “are we there yet”, and stopped to drink water, but all in all I kept pushing. I was determined to make it to the top, whether it took me 9 hrs or 1 hr.

Struggling my way up the mountain I have observed my surroundings and realized that I was not the only one in the midst of the struggle. There were others on that journey that were also struggling, and it gave me a sense of comfort.  Let me explain why I took comfort in knowing that I wasn’t the only one struggling,  we all had one goal: GET TO THE TOP.

Our lives look like that, each one of us is on a journey, we are all trying to get somewhere.  We all have a special purpose to which we were placed on this earth, but it’s not always easy. It’s not supposed to be,  “nothing worth having comes easy. ”

3 valuable lessons I learned :

1. We cannot do life alone

In our walk in this life, we need to be surrounded by people who are looking out for us, who want to see us succeed, who are there to pick us up when we are faced with challenging situations. Having my friends hold my hand to give me a push or say encouraging words motivated me to keep going was so valuable.  That’s why we need to be very intentional about the people we surround ourselves with because just as there is a good influence there is also negative influence.. can you imagine my “friends” telling me “yeah, just give up, It’s too complicated or it’s not even worth it. We are called to live life in fellowship with other believers, encourage one another, to be accountable for each other, to serve one another, to love each other, etc.

 

 

2. It doesn’t matter how long it takes, just get there. 

It didn’t matter if I made it to the top withing 30 mins or at least by sunset, what mattered to me what that I was not going to back down.  I think a lot of times we get discouraged because things are not happening during the time we planned so we are discouraged and give up. Friend, PUSH through because at the end of the day you will get to where you need to be. Maybe it won’t look like what you imagined but it will be exactly where you need to be. If there is one thing that we cannot control as we have obviously seen is TIME. We may plan but truly only God knows what will happen tomorrow.

3. The reward is worth it 

So as I made it to the top, I couldn’t believe it. All the pain, I endured to get to the top was worth it when I saw that beautiful view. That’s the thing, life comes with its challenges, it’s hard, we struggle, we fail, but we have to keep pressing on. Because in the end, it will be worth it.

This one was most special to me because as a believer and follower of Jesus Christ the ultimate reward we can have is in Heaven, what else can I ask for. SO no matter what challenges arise, my eyes are set on Him, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus”- Phil 3:14.   

My friends, I hope you lived these moments with me. Life is not easy, but it’s worth it when we live it for what matters.I pray that you are surrounded by people who lift you up, who encourage, but also be that to your circle because we are all on this journey.  I pray your kind to yourself when things get rough when things don’t go as planned because no matter how long it takes, you’ll end up exactly where you should because the reward is WORTH IT.

 

I’d love to hear your thoughts.

 

XOXO,

Natalie