I take off this blog from my previous one Apprehensions of a First Time Climber.
THE CLIMB
I was excited when I woke up the day of the climb as I was about to try out something new. I researched about climbing and the mountain that I was about to embark. I ran and did the stairs before the climb to build more endurance and strength. I packed what I thought I would need up in the mountains. I planned what to wear and made sure it was comfortable. I prayed to God for guidance and asked Him to be with me all throughout my climb and to use me as a witness to whoever I will meet. I was ready for my first climb.
The first few miles of the climb was easy. I was walking at my own pace and enjoying the scenery and the company of the 14 other people I was with. I got to know them, had a few laughs and I listened as they share their climbing experiences. I think I was the only first time climber in the group.
I started to have this desire to continue on climbing after this. I checked out their gears and wished I had those too so my climb would be easier. I wanted hiking shoes, a trekking pole and a bag designed with a built in water container ... I wanted to gear up for my next climb.
THE ASCENT
Then things became a little shaky for me. I started to lose oxygen in my body and felt a bit dehydrated even though I constantly drank water. I've never heard myself breathe as heavily as I did that day. I started praying for strength coz I felt my body weakening. I started singing worship songs and just praised God. I was having a moment with Him.
We stopped at a coconut stand where the old and new trail separates. The team was so encouraging and supportive that they gave me suggestions on how to cope. I bought buko juice (go large, haha!) and the electrolytes actually helped in rebuilding some energy. I was ready to move forward.
But everything just went slower for me as we moved higher into the mountains. The change of altitude made it harder for me to breathe and I was slowly feeling my calves cramping up. It was getting more painful to walk. I slowed down and took small steps. I figured it better to stride slowly than shock my body with speed. I didn't want for the rest of me to break down. I relied on God for strength as I repeatedly claimed Philippians 4:13. Over and over I praised God and prayed. My moment with Him was getting more intimate.
THE AGONY IN THE MOUNTAIN
And then my pain hit its climax. 90% through the journey my leg muscles just had enough and refused to cooperate. It cramped up like it never did before. My calves and thighs, both left and right, alternatively hardened that I had to stop many times along the way. I kept falling to the ground while the people behind me stopped and help out. I struggled to keep my tears from falling because I didn't want anyone to think that I was such a baby.
The rest of the team went ahead and have already reached the peak while 6 others stayed with me. They all wanted to know how they could help. They suggested carrying my backpack, gave me banana, pain reliever, ointment, water... anything that could help ease the pain. Jael, who invited me on this climb, and Paul, a nurse who's part of our group, alternately helped massage the hardened parts of my leg.
The others sang worship songs and we prayed together as I (almost) crawled to the top. I was taking baby steps but would stop and fall again to the ground when I get another cramp attack -- which happens every 5 steps! It was devastating and I was getting heart broken.
Aside from my leg torture, I was concerned for the others who were with me. I've always been independent and I felt so uneasy knowing that I was a liability to them. I hated myself for weighing everybody down. And more than the physical pain, I felt my anguished spirit get crushed all the more. Then another moment with God.
THE TURNING POINT
What happened to me in the mountain was such a humbling experience. Because right when I was about to give up, God spoke to me through Jael and Tito Ace (our group leader) and Paul and the rest of the guys who were with me. Not once did I feel I was a burden to them and they were so encouraging that I couldn't allow this torture to defeat me. I once again stood up then slowly (as in s-l-o-w-l-y..) and excruciatingly made my way to the top.
I gathered my strength from God. Being reminded by Tito Ace that before Christ carried His cross, He was brutally tortured, crowned with thorns, stripped off His clothing and whipped repeatedly as He brought the heavy wood to Calvary. My pain is nothing but a walk in a candy shop compared to what Christ has gone through. And I vowed to myself that I shall see the peak of this mountain because that's where God promised to take my breath away.
Waiting on top were the rest of the team. My strength intensified as they cheered me on. 3% to go. Still in pain but with higher spirits and a closer encounter with God. I battled against my cramps and kept moving forward and upward until finally -- Mt. Batulao's 10th peak. The summit. My promised land.
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it. Life is definitely a mountain that we all need to climb. You can train for it if you want but once there, you'll be surprised at the obstacles that will be thrown your way. It could be painful, stressful, heart breaking and definitely daunting but the only way to go through it is to rely on God's power.
I realized how limited my strength is. I realized how small I was in God's huge creation. I realized God is definitely in control coz I couldn't make the sun stop shining when it was getting too hot. I realized how God uses people to encourage and cheer me on and love and take care of me despite my weaknesses. I realized how success is more momentous when it's achieved laboriously. I realized that no amount of gear or equipment or workout could have prepared me for this climb because the obstacles I faced were all within me.
And when I reached the top of the mountain, I realized it's not actually the view that took my breath away. Rather it was God, letting me know and experience for myself that I am nothing without Him.
THE SUMMARY
This verse from 2 Corinthians basically sums up my feelings, God's message to me and how I was able to overcome the mountains on that day. God's mountain definitely changed me.
THE CLIMB
God is striding ahead of you. He's right there with you. He won't let you down; he won't leave you. Don't be intimidated. Don't worry. (Deuteronomy 31:8, The Msg)
I started to have this desire to continue on climbing after this. I checked out their gears and wished I had those too so my climb would be easier. I wanted hiking shoes, a trekking pole and a bag designed with a built in water container ... I wanted to gear up for my next climb.
THE ASCENT
Then things became a little shaky for me. I started to lose oxygen in my body and felt a bit dehydrated even though I constantly drank water. I've never heard myself breathe as heavily as I did that day. I started praying for strength coz I felt my body weakening. I started singing worship songs and just praised God. I was having a moment with Him.
I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13, NIV)
But everything just went slower for me as we moved higher into the mountains. The change of altitude made it harder for me to breathe and I was slowly feeling my calves cramping up. It was getting more painful to walk. I slowed down and took small steps. I figured it better to stride slowly than shock my body with speed. I didn't want for the rest of me to break down. I relied on God for strength as I repeatedly claimed Philippians 4:13. Over and over I praised God and prayed. My moment with Him was getting more intimate.
THE AGONY IN THE MOUNTAIN
The others sang worship songs and we prayed together as I (almost) crawled to the top. I was taking baby steps but would stop and fall again to the ground when I get another cramp attack -- which happens every 5 steps! It was devastating and I was getting heart broken.
Aside from my leg torture, I was concerned for the others who were with me. I've always been independent and I felt so uneasy knowing that I was a liability to them. I hated myself for weighing everybody down. And more than the physical pain, I felt my anguished spirit get crushed all the more. Then another moment with God.
Stay with it to the end. You won't be sorry, and you'll be saved. (Matthew 24:13, The Msg)
THE TURNING POINT
What happened to me in the mountain was such a humbling experience. Because right when I was about to give up, God spoke to me through Jael and Tito Ace (our group leader) and Paul and the rest of the guys who were with me. Not once did I feel I was a burden to them and they were so encouraging that I couldn't allow this torture to defeat me. I once again stood up then slowly (as in s-l-o-w-l-y..) and excruciatingly made my way to the top.
Waiting on top were the rest of the team. My strength intensified as they cheered me on. 3% to go. Still in pain but with higher spirits and a closer encounter with God. I battled against my cramps and kept moving forward and upward until finally -- Mt. Batulao's 10th peak. The summit. My promised land.
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it. Life is definitely a mountain that we all need to climb. You can train for it if you want but once there, you'll be surprised at the obstacles that will be thrown your way. It could be painful, stressful, heart breaking and definitely daunting but the only way to go through it is to rely on God's power.
I realized how limited my strength is. I realized how small I was in God's huge creation. I realized God is definitely in control coz I couldn't make the sun stop shining when it was getting too hot. I realized how God uses people to encourage and cheer me on and love and take care of me despite my weaknesses. I realized how success is more momentous when it's achieved laboriously. I realized that no amount of gear or equipment or workout could have prepared me for this climb because the obstacles I faced were all within me.
And when I reached the top of the mountain, I realized it's not actually the view that took my breath away. Rather it was God, letting me know and experience for myself that I am nothing without Him.
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| Climbing for Christ at Mt. Batulao 21 September 2011 |
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| Tito Ace encouraged me all throughout my suffering. He leads Climbing for Christ and is definitely a mighty man of God! |
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| Paul (the nurse) and Russel (the funny guy) helped me get through the pain. |
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| Jael stood behind me all throughout the climb. She took really good care of me and I love her to bits! |
THE SUMMARY
This verse from 2 Corinthians basically sums up my feelings, God's message to me and how I was able to overcome the mountains on that day. God's mountain definitely changed me.
"My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness." Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10, The Msg)
