Tuesday, June 22, 2010

The Mountain


Yesterday we returned home from Bald Head Island, NC.
Leaving that place brought me back to my last morning walking on the beach
during our week with Brian's family.
Here I was, having a mountain top experience.
It was a peaceful, relaxing place.
All the business and troubles of life seemed so far away.
I wanted to stay here.
To keep "life" far away.  To continue to rest, renew and relax.
I knew what was at home.  Life goes too fast at home.
It's busy, noisy, stressful and exhausting.
I wanted to stay here.

But then there was this voice.  A quiet voice, but I heard it.
It was reminding me of the beauty and joy of my home.
The life I had "in the valley".
The mountain is beautiful, restful, peaceful,
a place where I can go to renew my spirit,
but it's not where I am supposed to stay.  I would miss my home too much.
For there is laughter, joy, perseverance, friendship, family and mountain top experiences there too.
And there is work to be done.  Joy to be spread.  Good news to be shared.
Work I want to be a part of.

As I walked along the beach, that last morning, 
the words of Steven Curtis Chapman's song echoed in my head.
I began to sing it out loud as a prayer.

"You bring me up here on this mountain
For me to rest and learn and grow
I see the truth up on the mountain
And I carry it to the world far below
So as I go down to the valley
Knowing that You will go with me
This is my prayer, Lord
Help me to remember what You've shown me
Up on the mountain
Up on the mountain"

And so I wanted to write these posts
mostly to help me remember...

May you know that the Lord is with you wherever you go.
May you find rest and strength for your journey in Him.



The Mountain
(Steven Curtis Chapman and Geoff Moore)

[Mark 9:2-9]

I want to build a house up on this mountain
Way up high where the peaceful waters flow
To quench my thirsty soul
Up on the mountain

I can see for miles up on this mountain
Troubles seem so small they almost disappear
Lord I love it here
Up on the mountain

My faith is strengthened by all that I see
You make it easy for me to believe up on the mountain
Oh, up on the mountain

I would love to live up on this mountain
And keep the pain of living life so far away
But I know I can't stay
Up on the mountain

I said I'd go, Lord, wherever You lead
For where You are is where I most want to be
And I can tell we're headed for the valley

My faith is strengthened by all that I've seen
So Lord help me remember what You've shown me
Up on the mountain

You bring me up here on this mountain
For me to rest and learn and grow
I see the truth up on the mountain
And I carry it to the world far below
So as I go down to the valley
Knowing that You will go with me
This is my prayer, Lord
Help me to remember what You've shown me
Up on the mountain
Up on the mountain

I cherish these times up on the mountain
But I can leave this place because I know
Someday You'll take me home to live forever
Up on the mountain


No comments:

Post a Comment