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The Mountains’ Call
The mountain appeared to be beckoning to young Jacobson. Day after day, he would gaze at it in awe and wonder. Although to his family and the rest of the village the mountain seemed to be ominous and dangerous, to Jacobson, it whispered and professed of hidden and unrevealed treasures of life. It cooed to him that if he dared climb to its summit, that he would be recompensed with knowledge and understanding that surpassed anything that he could even imagine. Hunger continuously gnawed within his spirit to experience the obscure, shadowy rewards promised.
When he attempted to question anyone about the mountain, the answer was always the same. “Life is comfortable here in the village. That mountain is too dangerous to climb, with unseen, unknown perils.” Even though he diligently searched
throughout the village, he could not find even one person who had even dared to attempt to climb the mountain.
Sleep brought no peace or relief from the mountain. Night after night, he heard it, envisioned it, and dreamed of it. The hunger became a raw physical ache that consumed his entire being. His spirit cried to him, begging him to answer and follow the mountains’ summons. Fear also whined, whimpered and murmured to him, asserting that it was unknown territory, never before explored. It beseeched him to heed the advice from his family and town people. An internal battle struggled and raged within him. But, try as he may, Jacobson could not disperse or ignore the now urgent, imploring call of the mountain.
The mountains’ call could no longer be ignored. His family and friends pleaded with Jacobson not to hearken to the mountain, but, their pleas were to no avail. Jacobson had to go. Some were petrified while others were amused at Jacobsons’ selection of gear to take. He packed no provisions, stating that the mountain had promised that it would sustain him. His attire appeared whimsical and comical to the outward eye. Around his waist he buckled an oversized belt that he called a belt of truth. Upon his chest he donned an ornament that he called the breastplate of righteousness. He was at peace with his decision and wore no shoes, instead, claiming that they were fitted with readiness. He bore a shield etched with the word“FAITH” in capital letters. He placed a headpiece upon his head which he proclaimed to be his helmet of salvation and in lieu of a sword, he carried his Bible. His spirit could not be ignored as it loudly, continually prayed it requests to an unseen force.
Jacobson did indeed encounter many ups and downs during his trek. More than once, he slipped, only to be pulled back up and steadied by an unseen hand. Day by day he climbed up the steep and rugged mountain side, all the while growing stronger, more confident. He conversed with the mountain, grew to know it and trust it. Although many times were difficult and painful, the mountain did indeed provide all necessities. He grew daily, his perspectives altered, matured. Although transfixed by the beauty he glimpsed at the peak, many times, when the challenge appeared too overwhelming, he could not look up as he climbed. Yet, at the same time, he could not look down behind him. He would keep his eyes fixed steady in front of him. He encountered storms, drought and every other element, yet, he continued. Finally, he reached the top.
Enlightenment grasped him. He now understood the secret of life. He knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he could always trust the mountain, that regardless of any situation or circumstance, if he would hold on to his faith, the mountain would watch over and protect him. He had conquered his fear and realized that although in life, he would face many instances of fear; it no longer had the power to paralyze him. He had looked death in the face countless of times and now knew that even death itself could not destroy him. In the end, he would return to the mountain.
Jacobson had left his village as a child, but returned as a man.
Kathleen Ann Shelton
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