Rev. Jackson B. Powers
June 9, 2023

I recently went indoor rock climbing with my church's youth group as an adult volunteer. I was excited to try something I haven't done in over 10 years, but as I started to climb higher and higher, I began to feel nervous and weak. I realized that rock climbing is not as easy for me as it once was, and it takes a lot of strength, endurance, and faith to keep climbing.

Just like rock climbing, the Christian life can also be challenging and require a lot of faith and perseverance. We face obstacles and challenges that seem insurmountable, and we may feel weak and overwhelmed at times. But just as I had to trust in my equipment and the strength of the rock to keep climbing, we can trust in God to give us the strength we need to overcome any challenge.

The Bible tells us that God is our rock and refuge, a strong tower that we can run to for safety and protection. In Psalm 18:2, David writes, "The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my stronghold."

Just as a rock climber relies on the strength and stability of a rock to ascend higher, we can rely on God's strength and stability to help us overcome challenges and obstacles in our lives. When we feel weak and overwhelmed, we can turn to God and trust in His power to give us the strength we need to keep climbing.

In addition to relying on God's strength, we also need to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, our ultimate example and source of inspiration. In Hebrews 12:1-2, the author writes, "Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross."

As we climb on a rock wall, we need to keep our focus on the next hold or grip that will help us ascend higher. In the same way, we need to keep our focus on Jesus and trust in Him to guide us through the challenges and obstacles we face in life. By keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, we can endure the struggles of life and find the strength to keep climbing.

So today, let us remember that God is our rock and refuge, and that we can rely on His strength to help us overcome any obstacle. Let us also keep our focus on Jesus, our ultimate source of inspiration and hope, as we continue to climb higher in our faith journey.