Peter, a young university student was adventurous. He had an ambition to one day climb the highest mountain on his continent.

Many of his friends, fellow students and even his family discouraged him. The general comments were: It is dangerous, it is impossible for you to climb, it has claimed many lives and that it was too expensive to complete the expedition. He shelved the idea and dream for a few months.

One day, through some miraculous intervention, the local mountaineering club heard of Peter and his dream. On one planned expedition, a member had to cancel his trip for some unforeseen circumstance. He opened up the offer to anyone, expenses fully paid for trip.

Yes, you guessed correctly, Peter was contacted and he stood at the foot of the mountain. He was indeed awe struck at the enormity of the mountain and stood gazing at it for some time. He felt a prompting to move away from his group and others and stand a little distance from the mountain. In obedience to the still voice, he moved some metres away and got a clear view of the entire mountain.

He soon noted some features on the mountains that would help in climbing. He also noticed some paths, perhaps used by previous climbers. At the very top, he noticed what seemed like a flag fluttering in the breeze. He lowered his gaze and saw his team ahead of him.

He soon joined his team and began the ascent. At the end of a five-day trip, he was back home sharing his experiences to a group of friends.

“I was,” he said, “… over a period of time discouraged by many about tackling the mountain. Many instilled fear in me. Many pointed that I cannot do it and that the task was impossible. One day, as I was paging through the Bible, I found a scripture: ‘what is impossible with man, is possible with God’. Boldness welled up within me. I soon realised that Jesus dwells within me and with Him, and because of Him, I can do it!”

“When I stood before the mountain, I saw the flag at the top of the mountain, it helped reaffirm my dream and desire. I adjusted my vision and kept the flag as my focus. I saw paths along the face of the mountain, I realised that others have gone before me and accomplished the feat. I looked at my team and knew that I was not alone. I soon felt peace in my heart and the assurance that Christ is with me.”

“The temptation was to give up before I started. If I did, I know that I would not have been able to testify about the provision, peace and presence of God.”

“I am not afraid to take on the next mountain that may confront me…”

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deut. 31:6 NIV)

Submitted by Ronnie Naidoo