conquering my hill

I was all game when a friend of mine invited me during the weekend to climb the
Saga hill in cheras, little did I know what was in store for me.
We left klang around 6.30am and reached our destination at around 7.10 am and immediately started to climb Having been to Broga, I thought this should be a breeze
How wrong I was . It was quite a steep climb and more difficult than broga. I was grasping for breath half way and the thought that went through my head was what have I got myself in to.?
I stopped a couple of time to have my drink.and once to adjust my back pack and did not notice my friend have left without me. I thought I could catched up with him, (only latter did I learnt he had taken a different path. ) I could not see my friend, I tried to called him on the hand phone but there was no service so I went ahead and end up in a path that goes down hill instead of uphill . After a while I was convinced I was lost and deceide to double back as there was not way to catch up with my friend. As I was making my way up I met a small group and asked them for direction and was informed the path I took was indeed the correct way , even though it seems wrong to me.

One thing I notise was the people would greet one another even though they were total strangers Another thing that I observed was they would claps their hands. Maybe an indication to the group that they are ahead so that the rest could catch up in case they got lost ? Or was it to scare away wild animals? Maybe I should have inquired.
I stayed with the group and after about half an hour we reached the peak. What a relief.
I make it.! After a while I saw my friend who had taken another path and reached only minutes later.
We took a short break and then continue towards the water fall which took another half hour to reach.
Along the way I notice there were marker left by people who were there before. I suppose that was to help people incase they got lost. Going down the hill to the water fall was not easy even though there were rope tied on trees to aid those going down hill.
It was just a small water fall and after a while we make our way up to the peak again, rested awhile. My friend deceided to take a nap while I did some work up on some make shift” gym Equipment” By noon time we make our way down and head for home. We reached Klang around 1.30 pm and had a meal of bak kut .teh.


As I thought back of my hill experience, there is a lesson I could draw from this episode.There are also hills in our life, which we need to conquer.
My hill challenge was tough and I almost gave up half way. I even got separated along the way. It’s ok to be slow and we should not be afraid to ask for help when we are lost Had I gave up I would have missed reaching the peak. What motivate me? My goal, my ultimate destination which is the peak! We need to persevere and do not give up easily.
I like David’s attitude which is found in Psalm 121:1
I will lift up my eyes to the hills - from whence comes my help?"
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of Heaven and Earth.
He was able to look beyond the hill upward heaven towards God ,where his help lies.
To lift the gaze from the ground to a higher plain. Have you ever climbed a mountain? As you start the climb, you look up at the mountain and think of the challenges you will face on the way up. You contemplate the view from the summit. There's something solid and timeless about a mountain - it beckons the climber to stand on the summit The writer of Hebrew has this to say:-

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.(Heb 12:1)

The Marker along the way.helps hiker who may be lost or to confirm they are on the right track. We can be encourage and motivated by marks left by Christians for us to follow .Reading good Christian books help and learning from the experience of seasoned Christians will encourage in our quest to finish the race.
Just as the hikers greet one another which is an acknowledgement and encouragement to the other hikers especially those who are going downhill to those who are just coming up.

Paul always opens his letter with greetings . It is not uncommon whenever we have guest speakers from different churches ,they also bring greetings from their local churches. It is like telling us they have not forgotten us and are praying for us.

As I took stock after the event I reliased how important it is to have enough water. I brought two small bottle and finish it on the hill even before coming down hill. Big mistake.! I was not well equipped.
The Christian walk is never easy. We are bound to face problems, persecutions even.
Jesus gave us an insight
Jesus told His disciples, "In the world you will have tribulation. but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).
Discouragment are bound to come our way and spiritual attack from the enemy,
But we will be spare from the on slaughter of the enemy if we are fully geared. We need to put on the full armour of God described in Ephesians 6:10–18)