Peaking Above the Clouds

At 10,023 ft Haleaka’s peak rose far above the clouds. My head spun from both the lack of oxygen and thrill of what beauty my eyes were attempting to take in. Is this real life? In one direction, rocky craters of red earth were spotted with clouds and spread as far as the eye could see creating a mars-like environment. In the West, the sun was beginning its daily decent on the verge of slipping beneath the blanket of gossamer clouds in a show of splendid warm hues. And there I stood at the center of it all. Have you ever been in a moment all too wonderful and beautiful to possibly capture with a camera or even hold with your own eyes? I yearned to somehow hold onto a bit of it forever. I find myself all too often wishing I could hold onto something forever that I simply can’t instead of enjoying a beautiful moment for what it is. Now as the lecture phase of DTS has already passed its peak and outreach is less than a month away, I catch myself entrapped in these thoughts of a past I can’t hold onto, a present I can’t fully enjoy, and a future I can’t yet touch.

Sometimes pictures just show the mountaintops but I’ve been barreled by waves bigger than I can handle these past few months as well. I’ve felt every emotion and not everyone was packed with laughs and smiles. As I watched the sun disappear, the stars began to make their appearance and it dawned on me only one thing remained the same through it all and it certainly wasn’t me. God remained steadfast in my wandering and wavering. His love held me close through every bruise and scratch. And through my cracks and brokenness, God’s power shines through in all of its might. Piercing through the darkness into marvelous light. Because His grace is sufficient! I boast in Him alone. And in my weakness HE is made strong.

So I grabbed a pebble from the peak and headed back beneath the clouds towards sea level, a smile spread far across not only my face but my heart as well.

Don’t live waiting for the mountaintop experiences. Whether it be an upward or downward climb or completely flat, capture each moment and live them out fully in freedom and joy! Battles may still rage but we are the victors and nothing can stand against us. The war has been won. We are more than conquers in Christ! 
-Melinda