There were four men who climbed a mountain...
- The first complained that his feet hurt.
Complaining is a common malady with humanity..."it's too hot...too cold...why me...I'm tired...I hurt...!!"
Expressing feelings of discomfort is not complaining. However, when it becomes a constant "me, me,
me," it should give us pause.
We don't see the beauty of our life or the beauty in others, rather our view is pointed inward..."how does this effect me?!"
This "it's all about me" attitude can permeate every area of our lives if we are not careful, eventually penetrating our spiritual lives.
- The second had a greedy eye and kept wishing for each house and farm he could see.
A man or a woman who live in the realm of coveting that which is not their own are people who are to be pitied.
They cannot not find peace with that which
they have been blessed with and seek that which belongs to another.
One only need recall a moment in the life of a king...
When his passing glance brought his attention into a
home that was not his own, he looked in a direction on a
woman who was not his own.
When his prolonged looking brought a longing he could no longer contain, it changed the course of his life forever.
- The third saw clouds and was worried for fear that it might rain.
Fear of the unknown can cripple in every possible way, choking the Word of faith that has so freely been given to us.
Fear will stop us from doing that which is best for us, not to mention blocking the hand of God from doing His thing...that which is good and profitable.
- But the fourth fixed his eyes on the marvelous view.
His three comrades were all consumed with their own mortality and pleasing what mattered most to them.
But mountain climber #4 saw the bigger picture...he looked away from himself long enough to take in the beauty of the heavenlies.
He didn't cry about how tiring the climb was because the excitement and joy of making it to the top surpassed his pain and weariness.
The man viewed the homes of others as ornaments of God's blessing adorning the valley below, and caused him to be thankful for what he had.
Seeing 'the glass' half full rather than half empty, he didn't view the clouds as dark promises of a storm. Instead of doom and gloom, he saw God's greatness in the rainbow that was just on the other side.
What do we see from the mountain top?!
Is our gaze toward the brightness of God's best?!
Are we taking in the freshness of the air and breathing in life and strength, or are we entrenched in self and that which pleases us?!
What do we see from the mountain?!
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