Lessons from a Pack Trip in the Sierra

A few days ago we packed up a mountain to take supplies to 3 widows and to take some of God’s kingdom to a remote village called “Kantajtic”. We went with a combined mission team from Lubbock and Oklahoma City- an amazing group of people with a true servant’s heart. More about this amazing week later.

The Bible teaches that God wastes nothing of our lives- He saves every tear, takes our mourning and turns it to oil of gladness, our ashes He turns to beauty, He takes up the rags of our despair and he sews them into a garment of praise. Frankly, the 3 hours up and the 1 hour going down these mountains were, for me, 4 of the most physically challenging hours of my life. I want to share with you the lessons He taught me through that excruciating, blessed, awesome day. It’s very possible that you are on a climb of your own, dealing with your own mountains. I pray the lessons He taught me will help you on your climb.



1. Don’t go alone- take a guide who has been there before. The One ahead of you knows the way, make sure you follow and stay on the right path.

2. Take small steps. You have longer legs and feel like it would be easier to take larger steps- the One you’re following knows you must take small steps, because it’s the only way you’ll make it.

3. You feel like you can’t breathe; like you’re not going to make it- you want to give up and go back. Take heart: He’s taking you places you have never been before- places you could never go without Him. Keep going.

4. Don’t look up at the top of the mountain- keep your eyes on the footprints of the One you are following. If you do in a moment of weakness look up- don’t let fear tell you how big that mountain is. Tell the mountain how big your God is!

5. That man ahead of you who is telling you this is the last of the steep climbs- He’s probably lying; the God who tells you no matter how many steep climbs there are ahead, He will get you through them- He is Truth. Listen to Him.

6. God really does inhabit the praises of His people. When you can’t breathe- praise. When you can’t see- praise. When you think you can’t go on- keep praising. He is there- and He will show up and give you the strength to keep going.

7. What feels excruciating to you may not be as hard for others. Stop comparing yourself and keep going. They may be 30 years younger or 30 lbs lighter. When God called YOU to this mountain He knew you weren't a Russian gymnast- and yet He has promised to fulfill His purpose through you.

8. When you get to the top, stop for a moment. Look back in wonder and thanksgiving and admire the incredible view. Few people ever get the chance to hear the birds sing this way, to experience this kind of view, to feel that fragrance laden-breeze upon their face. Bask in His presence and…. look forward again- because there is always another mountain.

But the One who got you this far is ready….. and waiting. And the view from that next mountain awaits you.