Short Stories

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I took a deep breath as I surveyed the looming wall of rock before me. As I contemplated the challenge that was quickly approaching, my heart beat loudly in my ears; and I wondered if my friends could see my obvious nervousness. I gingerly stepped into my harness, hiking it up to my belly button and pulling the waist strap tight. I then adjusted the leg straps and began to tie knots into my belay rope. As I looped the rope through the front of my harness, I once again allowed my eyes to drift up, up, up to the crest of the rock awaiting my ascent nearly seventy feet above my head. Having tied three safety knots into the top of my, now taunt, rope I shook out my hands and jumped up and down a few times.

Two girls walked up and placed their hands on my shoulders. They prayed a prayer of safety, protection, grace, and strength over me. When they were finished, the other seven members of our group gathered around. I took one look at my belayer. I trusted Him. Willing my courage to increase, I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply through my nose. Faintly, I heard my team mates calling. “You can do this. I know you can. Go for it!” Rapidly rubbing my hands together, I released my breath and placed my right hand on the face of the rock. I looked up and over trying to determine the best approach for my first few crucial steps.

My body began to take over as I repeatedly moved my feet to the next cleft or outcropping and found dainty holds for my fingers to maintain my balance. I had been trained on proper technique; I had practiced until these movements had become second nature. It felt natural – using my legs, shifting my weight, maintaining my body close to the wall. As I continued to move up at a slow, yet steady, pace, I could hear the encouraging voices below me growing softer. I moved my right hand over and up about six inches, and I look to my left and saw a potential spot for my next step. Placing my weight on my right leg, I moved my left foot up to the next hold. I tested it out slowly; it felt steady. I moved my left hand up and found a finger tip hold. As I shifted my weight over to the left side, my foot slipped. My breath caught in my throat; and my stomach jumped as my fingers lost their grip, and I dropped. But I didn’t drop far. My ever present, ever faithful belayer held my rope firm. I jerked as I came to a sudden halt not two feet from where I had slipped. I looked at my hands, scratched from their sudden yank from their hold. I blinked a couple of times hoping to stop the dizziness that threatened to take over. Allowing my eyes to drift to the ground, I observed my friends, hands cupped around their mouths. I could hear their muffled yells – “You can do this. Try again. Get back up there. Keep going!” With renewed determination, I turned back toward the wall and found my holds before continuing up.

All too soon, I reached the place from which I had fallen. Thinking I had found new holds, I stepped up – once again I fell. Three more times I tried – three more times I failed. My hands were wounded and broken, my muscles atrophied from the tension and work. My mind hurt from the concentration. I was tired of the embarrassment of my failures. I was weary. I looked down to my team. Where had they gone? In their place now, ghastly creatures with spiny backs and hollow eyes jumping up and down. I could no longer see my belayer. My breaths came in rapid spurts as I saw one of the demonic creatures grab my rope from below and shake it violently. I could feel the vibrations, and it terrified me. The little demons’ abrasive voices reached my ears at a horrifying volume. “You can’t do this!” “You’ll fail.” “You’ll fall again!” “See, you can’t trust your belayer – you can’t even see Him.” “It’s all your fault; remember how many times you’ve messed up!” “Where are your friends?” “You’re not worth anything.” “You’re not strong enough.” “Just give up. Come back down, and we’ll give you whatever you want.” Each syllable seemed to get louder and more deafening. By this time, I was panting.

Petrified, I began to cry. My arms hurt. My hands hurt. My heart hurt! Maybe I wasn’t good enough. Maybe I wasn’t strong enough. Maybe I wasn’t cut out for this journey after all. I shook out my arms, longing to feel the strong arms of my Belayer and Master, Yahweh. I lost all motivation and courage to go on. "Yahweh," I cried, "What have I done? Where has everyone gone? Why can’t I see you? I’m tired. I’m weary. I’m weak! I can’t do this any more. I . . ."

"HANNAH, I’M STILL HERE. I HAVEN’T GONE ANYWHERE." At the sound of His voice, the creatures started and ran in chaotic circles holding their ears. "REMEMBER MY PROMISES."

From somewhere deep inside me a well sprang forth as the truths of His love filled my heart and soul.

And, lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. I breathed easier. He had never left – my eyes had merely been blinded to the truth.

My grace is sufficient for you. My strength is made perfect in your weakness. It was okay to be weak. His grace is sufficient. And I could only rely on His strength when I stopped relying on mine. I wiped the tears from my eyes.

There is therefore, now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. I felt the strength returning to my muscles like a waterfall encompassing my entire being. By this time, the last of the little demons was scurrying away as fast as he could into oblivion. I heard a strange sound. Was that someone calling my name?

And my God will meet all of your needs in accordance with His riches in Christ Jesus. A smile curled at my lips as I remembered the times he’s been faithful before. The strange sound grew louder and clearer. I recognized my friends voices.

Wherever you turn, to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

“Hannah, you can do this. Turn around and give it another shot. Come on, go for it. We’ve got your back.” I looked down and saw my friends cheering me on just like before. With new strength, I turned my body back toward the wall, ready to face my nemesis.

LOOK TO YOUR RIGHT. I did. And as I did, I saw a cleave that had been there all along. Why hadn’t I noticed it before? I looked back to my left, and the place from which I had fallen was no longer there. I slowly inched my body over to the right and found that the ledge held the entire ball of my foot. Trusting my Master and Guide, I put my full weight on this cleft, and reached up for the next hold. Nature once again took over. He made my feet like hinds feet on high places. I climbed the final thirty feet of that face faster than I ever had before. When my feet finally planted themselves securely on the flat of the peak, I lifted my hands to heaven. With my Belayer as my Safety, My Master’s strength – now my own – and my team of encouragers, I had conquered. We had conquered. I see my Master walking toward me, arms open wide. “Well done,” he says, “Well done!”

Isn’t this just like our spiritual life sometimes? We’re on our journey which at times can be challenging, exciting, scary, or maybe it’s something we’ve done so many times that it almost comes as second nature. We trust our Safety. We have a support group there to encourage us and help keep us on the right track. But somehow, along the way, Satan decides to get involved. He places a weak rock in our path, and we slip, we fall, we get discouraged. As we listen more and more to the lies of Satan, we begin to accept them as the truth. “You’re not good enough.” “You’re guilty.” “God is not enough for you. You need . . .” “You can’t trust Him.” And on and on it goes. Finally, we’re ready to give up. We just want to rest. We just want a break.

Well, friends, let me assure you there will be no letting up of Satan until the day we are in God’s presence to the full. The closer we get to God, the more he hates it - the more he’s going to try to interfere, try to stop our growth, try to stop our pursuit of holiness. Satan hates holy people, and if he can do anything to keep us from reaching the summit, believe me, he’ll do it.

But take heart, my friends, God has not left us to fight this battle alone. He’s here, and His promises are still reliable. I encourage you to study your Belayer. Learn His characteristics and qualities. Learn His heart. Learn of His love for you. Then take those truths and when Satan attacks with lies and deception to try and tilt you off balance, fight back with the Sword of the Spirit – the Word of God. I assure you, he won’t be standing long.

Never surrender to the enemy! I cannot emphasize that enough. When you feel like you’ve given all you have to give, surrender – not to the enemy – but to God. Give Him your weakness and allow Him to fill you with His strength. Then climb in your journey marked out for you with perseverance. And one day, when you reach the peak, may you hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”



H. C. 2.19.2006

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