I was just reminded of this Mountain today, and Im sure that it popped in for a reason. During my Recce course, we were to take part in this Exercise Long Walk. Basically, you are broken up into teams of 4, coupled with maps, compasses, and signal sets, and all the necessary equipment, including a Full Battle Order plus 2 Full water bottles as well as rations. Mind you, its not in Singapore where you conquer Bukit Timah Hill or Mount Faber. Its in the rural areas of Taiwan where no eye has seen or no ear has heard. The weather was also a killer. Lao Fo Shan (Old Buddha Mountain) was the largest mountain I've ever conquered. If you've seen my pictures of my trip, you've probably seen it somewhere. Though it seems short in the picture, wait till you climb it yourself.
I recall distinctly...
-how demoralised I was when my 2 commanders left the team and how me and my buddy were with my officer.
-how I wanted to give up when we only left the starting point 4 hours ago.
-how I was yearning for a break but yet I had to move on because there was a time quota to meet.
-how I nearly fainted in the middle of the first night.
-how I struggled to cope with most of the weight because my buddy couldnt take it anymore.
-how I carried almost 2 and a half times my weight when my commander sprained his ankle in the middle of nowhere.
-how I went in search of help, in search of a clear and safe path for the team.
-how I walked blindly in pitch darkness in the wilderness when I was dead tired.
-how I felt like giving up with abrasions on the inwards of my thighs and blisters on the soles and heels of my feet.
-how I quarrelled with my buddy because he drank much more and didnt leave enough for me.
-how I felt like throwing down the weight on the floor when I was running with it.
-how I complained in my heart and doubted we were in the right direction.
-how I was angry that it hurt when my boots were cutting into my open flesh thanks to the blisters, and my flesh wounds on my thighs, and the 45 degrees (or even steeper) rocky terrain.
I saw for myself how my character was like. Even though it was a 4day 3 night exercise, but my team completed it in 3days and 2nights. And I know what it means to really "press on for the upward calling of God". It was almost like a living hell for 3 days and 2nights. But in my twilight months of my army life, I felt that it was a good fight of faith. Sometimes I'm blinded by so many things happening, that we dont really see the point of doing things. Sometimes I'm busy treating my wounds, complaining that I dont get encouraged, even my peers fall.
Sometimes I'm blinded by emotion and I speak through my heart, not my mind. Sometimes I fail to see the hidden agenda. Sometimes all that I've planned for self-destructs when I actually do it. Sometimes I simply need to take a rest and recuperate. And then I realise:
Big mountains need Big willing hearts. Would I be stupid enough to go on a Long Walk for nothing? (Okay in army context its compulsory because we are called for it, but all the more it highlights that we SHOULD have a PURPOSE and a VISION to run for.)
No one is perfect. It is no mean feat to carry a burden more than twice your weight up a mountain that will take you hours to climb. And it dosent help when people dont encourage you so it seems you are just alone. Bible says we are more than conquerors. Bible says we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Bible says that all things work for good for those who please Him. You can reach the top, but yet not be where you are. I recall being at a mountain top and yet it was raining, it was windy, it was not my destination. It was not where I was meant to be. Guys, there is always a bigger mountain than where you are at now. I read in Sarah's blog that the way up is the way down. Indeed in the natural it is true. HOW ON EARTH ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO CLIMB ANOTHER MOUNTAIN BY JUST GOING UP?
The only way, is down, and then up another mountain.
In life, there are many mountains. It is not a question of who conquers how many, but the attitude of conquering. I'm sure there are people thinking of conquering Mt Everest. Not because they "lan lan suck thumb" have to, but they WANT to. not once, but multiple times. Some of us climb a teeny weeny Bt Timah Hill tired already. They are aware of the risks of death, frostbite, accidents with the cords, crevices, terrain breaking off. So many risks. But inspite of those, they press forward for the upward calling and the prize. When interviewed, they said they have the love and passion for climbing.
I'm not pressing for you guys to go do something stupid. I'm pressing for you guys to break comfort for a worthy cause. I'm pleading for you guys as men serving the nation because the nation is crying out for a Saviour. Not only the nation, the world. It is predicted that the ice cap will go by 2030. If its true, then what we work for in our lives dont matter anymore. Money dosent matter. Status dosent matter. Education dosent matter. National disputes dont matter.
Its time to wake up and do the right thing.
Arise and Build. Not just the building, but lives.
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