It was 5:30 in the morning as we unloaded the truck.  The only illumination came from our headlamps as we checked our gear and clicked into our skis.  Quickly we were moving forward and upward with our poles in our hands and our skis on our feet.  It was very cold but we knew that quite soon we would be warm as we ascended from our 9600 ft. starting point.  Uphill, on skis, at this altitude can quickly tax one’s aerobic conditioning and this day was no different.  Yet, as the sun started to lighten the darkness into early morning shadows, we settled into a rhythm that was sustainable and that spoke of progress.  And before too long we were at our 12,500ft. destination.  From this vantage point we could look out over many snow covered peaks and we could bask in the beauty of a new day, in the middle of the Colorado Rockies.

Now all we had to do was take off our climbing skins and descend back down to the valley below.  We had earned out turns!

Later, back in the warmth of a comfortable home, I reflected upon the mini adventure that I had enjoyed.  I reflected upon the incredible playground called the Rocky Mountains & the good health that allowed me to get out and enjoy a morning and I said Thank You!  I also reflected upon  the climbing skins which I had attached to my skis.  These allowed me to slide my skis forward and they kept me from sliding backward.  With these skins on my skis I could take healthy steps forward and I could gain new heights with reasonable safety.

What is it in life that allows us to keep moving forward and moving higher?  What allows us to move to the high ground and gain perspective on the valley below?   I believe it is wrapped up in John 14:20.  It is about Him being in me and my being in Him.  It does not mean I won’t slide backwards, at times.  But it does mean that I can keep moving ahead.  That I can celebrate life!