07
What I Learned on the Mountain Pt. 1
Posted on April 7th, 2009 in Faith by Fred McKinnon
Yesterday I had the wonderful privilege of climbing a mountain and returning to the summit – a place I visited almost every Fall during highschool. The picture above was taken from my cell phone – it’s hard to tell I’m on the summit because the clouds are so thick and it’s snowing. This is the summit of Springer Mountain in Georgia, the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail which stretches from this point all the way to Maine.
My time was limited. I was alone and I was not dressed for the weather. It was below freezing and snow was falling pretty steadily and was beginning to accumulate on the trail and on the leaves. I was wearing tennis shoes, a short-sleeve T-Shirt, blue jeans, and a light jacket. It was late afternoon and I didn’t remember how long it would take make the ascent to the summit.
Look Around
As I was hiking at a brisk pace I noticed something out of the corner of my eye. A beautiful valley was visible below on my right side. It was breathtaking, and I stopped my fast climb to take it in for a moment. The snow was falling and the sun broke through the clouds for a brief moment and I took it in.
That’s when I heard that still, small voice …
How often do we get SO FOCUSED and SO FIXED on our destinations and goals that we miss what’s happening around us? In an age where we boast “being releveant” in our churches, ministries, and lives, do we stop long enough to discover what “relevant” really is?
Granted, I realize there is some truth from the Scriptures about fixing our gaze directly ahead of us. I was in such a hurry – my pace was hurried, and I didn’t look to my left or right – I was focused straight ahead on the trail. But I almost missed a glorious, beautiful sight. And more importantly, I almost missed hearing that glorious, beautiful whisper.
My Challenge?
Keep your focus, but relax a little bit and enjoy the ride. Don’t have your blinders on so tight that you miss what God is doing on both sides of you. He is there. He wants you to see. There is more at stake and more happening than what happens to be straight ahead.
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8 Responses to “What I Learned on the Mountain Pt. 1”
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Good word, Fred! It’s a shame to think of what beautiful sites we may have missed along the way because of our rush to get where we’re going. But fortunately, God has ways of getting our attention long enough to stop us for that breathtaking view – that “pause that refreshes”! Glad you got a chance to make that trip!
New blog post: What I Learned on the Mountain Pt. 1 http://www.fredmckinnon.com/myblog/2009/04/07/what-i-learned-on-the-mountain-pt-1/
RT @fmckinnon: Meet my long lost friend Fred http://www.fredmckinnon.com/myblog/2009/04/07/what-i-learned-on-the-mountain-pt-1/
Wow, Fred! Well put, man. Tunnel vision is a disease I suffer from often. With tunnel vision, the faster you go – the more you miss.
I’ve been working on ways to slow down lately. Must be a HS thing
I remember Springer Mountain well, but when we took those trips we had a backpack full of gear and snack packs! Glad you were able to take that trip, bro. And glad you got to hear that whisper.
He’s whispering all the time, isn’t He. We simply need to slow down and listen more.
Did you at least bring a few smoke bombs? What about beef jerky? Zero bars? After all, you don’t want too much fresh air up there.
Chad, I’m saving that for our hike, maybe in October. I’ve found a much more incredible source than Zero bars – Kashi GoLean crunch cereal. Oh yeah, baby. Predictable down to the minute. (about 5 hours after consumption, I’m so dangerous, you’ll jump under the waterfall)
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