September 2026: Mission Musings

The Call to Climb

“You get to go approach that mountain, not made with man’s hands, but where the church of the firstborn is and the saints, with innumerable angels dressed in festive, celebratory attire, and where Jesus Himself is. So today, by the Spirit, you get to ascend this Holy Hill and come to the foot of the throne, not in your own merit, but in the merit of the blood.”~Michael Koulianos

May 13, 2026. Gear packed, years of training, hard goodbyes as Nate began the trek to summit Denali.

Nathanael has always pushed life to the edge. He has led us into more wilderness experiences than I can recount. Numerous expeditions left us questioning his confidence in us; I can say we haven’t died yet, though there were some questionable events. 

During his first week on Denali, I struggled. I could not comprehend why my son insisted on climbing this mountain. I prefer safer terrain.

I have watched Nate for many years. He encounters the Lord in deep ways in wilderness experiences. When I read my Bible, I see others just like him. 

God called Moses up the mountain. For 40 days and 40 nights, Moses was on the mountain. Joshua accompanied him up the mountain, but the people…the people were afraid. God did not meet with them on the mountain.

Jesus summited his own mountain as he endured the trek to Golgotha. I would have dreaded the entire climb because the physical struggles seem too hard. But Nate taught me something. His physical struggles to the summit were wildly intense, but his thoughts weren’t focused there. Nate’s focus was on the summit which made all the struggles subsidiary.

I believe the same is true for Jesus. His sights were set on something other than the harsh realities facing his flesh. His sights were set on you, on me, on all humanity. 

Jesus willingly went to the cross so that we could approach the mountain too. He knew the veil must be torn, Holy Spirit released. He knew we needed to see that safe terrain is never the goal and struggles can become subsidiary when our focus is Him. We too must brave our fears, step out of self and into Spirit, set sights on the summit, and climb the mountains in our lives to meet with the Lord. No turning back, no turning back.