If you have ever climbed a hill, you will know that it takes time, effort and sometimes pain. Once at the top you might be able to look out at a stunning view and even look down on the path you took and realise there was a much better one close by. You might even find other walkers using that easier path. Adversly, you may find yourself in a misty rainstorm and think that it was a waste of time. I assure you no metaphorical mountain is a waste of time.
Proverbs is useful for all things wisdom, despite its sometimes cryptic words, it can be a really black and white forum of thoughts. Put together by Solomon and other wise folk, we can know it was written by humans. Sinful and hurting people. Solomon was a wise king at first and he still messed up big time! In a slight tangent, I find myself relating to Solomon in his later years. Knowing enough yet seeking more. We find in chapter 1, Solomon defining the purpose of the book and in my mind I read it as ''here is what I know, listen''. Now you may not read it as that. Yet this is my blog and you are most welcome to disagree.
Moving back to hindsight, I found in my lowest times, these were when I was sad, apathetic about God and not an enjoyable person, phrases such as ''be Christlike'', ''trust Him'' were really annoying. They lacked substance, sometimes seemed insincere and I quickly shut off what the person behind the advice meant. Whilst they never served up the meat to their comments, I never dug deeper. Communication is a 2 way street....that is fact.
I have grieved a lost loved one, I have dealt with really difficul things like suicidal people, depressed individuals and launched ministries (in Gods grace). I am not boasting, but that experience carries wisdom. I would launch the ministry differently knowing what I know now. I would be more compassionate to people as a result of seeing someone at their wits end. I would look after my family differently knowing how easy it is to burnout. So many lessons that as I look down from my hill, I can see that the path I took could have been easier. Now here is my point. The past is the past, sin can be forgiven thanks to Jesus dying on the cross. What can be changed is my heart and how I go on from here. I can see God by my side in those hard moments and I can know that He will be there in future. I know that If I go down from the hill, climbing back up will be easier. I am fitter, wiser and more hopeful. The other pearl of wisdom I can share is that, if your last ''hill climb'' turned little reward at the top, remember that we cannot see what God sees. We may find that if we do it again, we can see a beautiful view. It may spur us onto take on a bigger hill, even a mountain.
God Bless.
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