Back to CCM Home

Is the Artist not greater than the picture he paints? Is the Architect not greater than the building he designs? Is the Writer not greater than her best selling novel?

That which we do or create, only reflects a part of which is within us and because it came out of us, we can continue to do amazing things. Just ponder for a moment - how much more is the sum of you and me than that which we do or create?

Living in Switzerland, in the Engelberg valley between the Alps, brings that acute awareness of God’s greatness and majesty, as He is infinitely greater than that which He has created.

We have so many hiking trails and my favourite hobby nowadays is to explore the mountains in awe of His creation. I discovered that there are lessons to be learned and I invite you to join me on my journey, as I share with you those insights I gained, starting at climbing my first mountain!

Walenpfad hiking trail: Hiking from the Brunni Mountain along the Engelbergertal (”Angel mountain valley”) to the Bannalp Mountain and then through the Oberrickenbach village down to the village of Wolfenschiessen. +/- 20km.

Hope!

Looking forward to a day of hiking high up in the Alps, our daughter Lindie and I took a cable car and then a ski-lift to the height of 1860m.a.s.l. at Brunni. From there we started out towards Rosenbold at 1863m.a.s.l. The sun was shining with clear blue skies and the Alps were covered in a carpet of flowers and peaks were capped with snow. What an inspiring view!

When we occupy our Mountain, the view is awesome!

Along the trail we stopped to appreciate all the different flowers and fresh ideas flooded our minds. It is interesting how creative our thoughts became in such an environment of colour and beauty.

A free mind has space to receive new ideas, dreams and visions.

The path trailed through the flower garden of God into a forest filled with green ferns, moss and cool air. With the sun beaming through the trees and displaying all the hues of green, we felt refreshed and hope of all good things to come, filled us to the brim.

Romans 8:25; 15:13 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Coming out of the forest, the path winded through another field with different flowers. As we reached Rosenbold, we took a last breathtaking view of the Engelberg panorama before we descended towards Walenalp at 1667m.a.s.l. Descending was easy and we could walk a bit faster to make up for some lost time. Especially for Lindie who took so many photo’s.

 In times of acceleration, we must act swiftly and capitalise on the momentum.

At Walenalp we could see down the valley towards the Lake of Lucerne. I experienced a view that brought the thought of planning to mind. How much better can we strategise with a broad view from the top. A place where your mind is clear, without cares and fears and you can see things for what they are. This is the place where Eagles fly.

Isaiah 40:31 But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

Just a few metres ahead, we came across a little Alpine Cottage where we could fill our bottles with fresh water and renew our strength for what we saw laying ahead of us.

Face your Hill - climb one step at a time

The path ascended steeply as we made our way up to Walegg.  I was quickly out of breath and I was forced to cut my pace back drastically. This was not a hill for speed. I took a few moments to recover and started out again, this time one step at a time.

It just became steeper and more difficult. By then I was not only gasping for air, but every step was filled with effort. This was a hill where I hoped to reach its highest point soon - as it was painful. I saw the edge on my horizon and knew that if I could endure, this strenuous effort would soon be over.

The edge came closer and closer, I could hardly wait, the point of relief was in sight!

Finally, just a few more steps and I have reached the end….

Endurance = Challenge, Trials and Adversity

I could not believe my eyes, at the end where I was to descend; the path made a bend upwards and a new hill filled my horizon.  I mustered together all my courage to continue upwards. To turn back was not an option and the only way forward was up that mountain!

My pace became slower and to breathe became increasingly more difficult. By then I was huffing and puffing my way up! The word “endurance” spilled over my mind. I just wanted this to end….finally I could see the point at which we would cross over the edge to descend - or at least that is what I thought.

On top and……the path continued upwards and a new hill has moved into my horizon!  How would I overcome this trial? The answer was clear…ONE STEP AT A TIME.

If I could have bailed out, I would have - but the journey back was longer than the one ahead of me and my muscles felt the strain. Is this not what we endure during difficult times? It always seems as if the end will never come.

Proverbs 24:10 If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.

I continued forward thinking, “and this too shall pass!”  These are the words we use as a family to encourage each other through times of difficulty.

I am here to tell you that the path uphill made another bend upwards with a new hill moving into my horizon and then yet another one appeared - more to overcome!

By now I was humbled, exhausted and the creation of All Mighty God was greater than the sum total of my strength, or so I felt at the time.

Psalm 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.

As I climbed up towards the crown of that which was in my horizon, I knew that I could not overcome in my own strength, but that I had to rely on the Lord to take me through. Climbing that mountain, I caste my cares upon Him, and trusted Him to carry me through each step to the top.

Overcoming - Reaching the Top - New Beginning

My limbs numb, my eyes watery, we reached the top at Walegg!

We have ascended from Walenalp at 1667m.a.s.l. to Walegg at 1943m.a.s.l. the highest outlook point of the hiking trail. My joy was now filled with humble appreciation and in awe of our Lord. With all the pain of endurance behind us, we were overcome by the breathless view ahead of us!

The only way I could explain to my daughter what I felt was to say that this was the closest experience to giving birth.  After all those contractions and time of endurance during the birthing process, the joy of seeing your new born baby wipes out all that you have just gone through.

With a new beginning, we put the past behind us.

Luke 9:62 But Jesus said to Him, “No one, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Breathless view!

By now the clouds have moved in over the mountain top and we crossed over the edge into a ribbed basin with the path winding through the ribs formed by water and ice. At 1943m.a.s.l. the mountain towered above us and dropped beneath us to a level of 1690m.a.s.l.

Feeling small in this big scheme of creation filled us with awe.

Suddenly I had energy, my soul was filled with joy and my strength renewed!

Habakkuk 3:19 The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills.

Focus upon the Lord and walk forward

Coming out of the basin, we continued to descend towards the Bannalp Restaurant where we first enjoyed a cup of warm Alpine Coffee before we continued our journey down the valley through Oberrickenbach towards Wolfenschiessen at 500m.a.s.l.  We were filled with joy and shared the goodness of our experience on our way down.

We each have a mountain to climb and to occupy.  This concept is nothing new to the farmers in the Alps.  During the summer months they take their cattle high up the mountains to feed on the grass and herbs while they cultivate the vegetation and gather hay for the long winter months on the hills and in the valleys.

I have learned that my horizon is not my boundary!

When we focus upon the Lord, He will take us forward to overcome and excel in our calling and there is always more to achieve than what we see on our horizon.

Wilhelmien

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008 at 3:53 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.