2 Jul

Mountains Become Hills

posted by Jody Johnston

Gas prices have now officially gotten too high for me. I am riding my bike around my hometown, and I have to tell you, it isn’t the best way to get around. It is hot outside, and I work up a sweat without the sun burning into the back of my neck giving me a very unusual tan. I have gotten in biker shape though! Now that I think about it, my rides aren’t as bad as they use to be; actually, I love to ride my bike! When I first started out, my thighs and calves felt like they were going to fall off; they were SORE! They don’t hurt though anymore. You know what? I could ride all day and not get sore!

It is funny to think about how I get better at things. I remember the first time I rode up Chickamauga Drive. Geographically, I don’t have to ride up it; but I knew if I rode up this hill, it would benefit me in the long run. The thing that makes this hill different from other hills is that this hill should be considered a small mountain. It is about a fourth of a mile and, not even kidding, just short of being completely vertical. I knew if I could ride up this hill, I could ride up any hill. This would be my benchmark to overcoming any sized hill I would ever encounter. I rode my bike to where the hill began and began to peddle towards certain pain and discomfort. As the front tires of my bike began to rise in elevation, my legs were working to their full potential. After what seemed to be an eternity of enduring pain, I reached the top!!! I looked down and saw the ground I had just ridden up. I had accomplished a hill bigger than any I had ever seen! I was ready to collapse; but I had done it!

I rode up a mountain so that a hill would be seen as just a bump.

In Romans chapter 8, verse 18 Paul writes, “The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be reveled to us.” Oh man! Just how I rode up Chickamauga Drive, though it was painful, the result of my “suffering” brought me strength and made all other obstacles look puny! What I have learned is that the times I have difficulties, Christ uses them to bring Him glory! Not only to show His strength in my weakness, but to draw me closer to Him and prepare me for even harder times!!

Just like my mountain, I don’t have to do things that are hard. I don’t have to follow Christ, but I have chosen to. Since I have chosen to, I AM going to do things that will bring glory to God, and I AM going to grow stronger in Christ. I have made that decision; will you make it with me? Will you join me to stop being lazy and begin to do things that require us to grow?

Filed in: Discipleship, Journey

About the Author

Jody Johnston is a 17-year old student, athlete, and worship leader. He attends Hendersonville High School, where he is active in FCA and Select Chorus. In his free time, he loves to play Ultimate Frisbee and boulder.

Read more about Jody here.