Hold On, Because He Doesn’t Let Go

Climbing mountains. I like to do this. They stare me down each and every day and sometimes I think they are calling to me.

“Hey, you, stop standing at the bottom and come up here to join me. Don’t be afraid.”

I am afraid. They are tall and I am meek. I have found myself up there once in a while, shaking in fear as the wind howls through the valleys between the peaks. I almost think the Lord is trying to tell me something as He tries to whip the fear off my back with his mighty hands.

He is telling me, “Hold tight. Don’t let go. I am here and you need not be afraid.”

When I hike with my children I am often over-bearing. I am grasping and hollering and anxiety consumes me. What if they trip and fall? What if the cliff is really as bad as my mind perceives?  What if there’s a stranger around the corner?

“Don’t hike alone!” I yell after the few that run ahead.

I want to hold on to all of them and not let go. But wait!  The Lord reminds me that He already has them. He is holding on so that I don’t have to.

“Let go, Mama, they will be alright.”

“But, Lord, I only have them for a little while and I need to protect them and climb this mountain together.”

He gently reminds me that I do have the authority to protect my children right now, but He has the authority to protect their eternity. He’s got them for the long haul and I only need to get them on the right path.

Isaiah 41: 13 NIV For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

I hike that mountain, holding a hand, letting the others run ahead, taking in creation and remembering that the Lord has held on to me this long. He has saved me from the darkness.  He has called my name.  He has planted eternity in my heart.  He never let’s go. He holds on to me forever. He will hold on to my children forever, too.  I pray that they will hold on to Him as well.

Mountains scare me with their mightiness, their changeability at the slight breeze, and their treacherous ridges, but the one who created them, He doesn’t scare me.  He inspires awe. Only a grand creator can build these mighty rocks and only He can call someone to conquer them.

As I work my way to climbing more mountains, I remember to praise Him every step of the way. I lift my hands and heart to him as I summit. I hold out my being in worship to my Father God who holds the universe in His hand. And He will hold on to me forever.

Romans 8:39 ESV Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.