Can You Imagine...

How much courage and determination it took to erect this cross?

This is a picture of the Italian peak of the Matterhorn. It stands 4477 meters above sea level...nearly 3 miles straight up.

Each year, 12 climbers lose their lives attempting to scale this perilous mountain. Over 500 climbers have been killed over the years.

Yet, despite these incredible conditions, a brave group of Christians, in 1902, after 3 failed attempts, managed to erect this giant testimony of their belief.

Now, remember, in 1902, they didn't have helicopters to carry the heavy stuff for them. Their only support came from their companions.

Just raw guts, and this cross still stands, over a century later.

Wow. Wow.

What did those climbers have that we, as Christians today, lack? Would I have been a member of that amazing group?

No way! I know, in my heart, that I would have pooh poohed the whole idea, thought it was nuts. I would have bet the whole thing would fall down in a month...Cynical...soft shell Christian.

How can we be like those iron men?

Y'know, we don't have to carry a cross up a mountain to do the Lord's work. How many times during our ordinary day are we given small opportunities to honor Him? Little times of witness, a nicety given freely to a stranger, a kind word, a helping hand lended to a needy person..

Or, how about family witnessing? How often do we do and say things to our beloved family members that we never would say to any stranger of any faith?

You always hurt the one you love...how true is that?

Yet, he or she is also our neighbor, and the Lord made it simply clear with the love your neighbor as yourself command.

Do you practice compassion with yourself? Find a way to rationalise the sin? I sure do. But, boy, when I see that speck of wood in Deb's eye, I sure forget the Noah's ark in my own.....every time...

Hey...my hat's off, forever, to the brave ilk that do amazing things for Our Lord. The climbers, writers, preachers, missionaries, all living sacrifices to the creator of the universe.

I guess I'll never be counted among them, with my mustard seed of faith..

Yet, I am going to try, in the small things, to be a little more like them. Be a little braver when I'm asked to do something a little out of my comfort zone. Really try to treat my family as well as I treat strangers.

Can you imagine......

YOU GET THE POINT!!