I Missed It! (No, not the plane)
LANA GARFIELD
Not long ago I was waiting to board a flight at the SLC airport. As the arriving passengers were disembarking, I noticed many of them going over to the airport window pointing and even gasping at something outside. I got out of my seat, walked over to the window to see what they were looking at. Was someone hurt? Was the airplane damaged? But when I went to the window, I saw nothing. Then I noticed another woman at the window pointing upward to show her child something. For a second time, I went to see what they were looking at, but this time, I looked up. Right there here is all their glory, I saw the majestic Utah mountains covered in pure white snow, the sun was glistening on them and the sky was brilliantly blue. It was so beautiful… picture perfect! How did I not notice? Had it been in my view for so long that I took them for granted, the beauty, grandeur and value? Yup, I missed it!
I have since pondered the majestic mountains that surround me, and why on that day they seemed so ordinary and commonplace. I don’t want to miss them again.
Mountains symbolize a nearness to God. Their peaks extend towards heaven. Mountains are also symbolic of trying to overcome obstacles in life. As Julie Andrews sang: “Climb every mountain, search high and low, follow every byway, every path you know”. We as disciples and followers of Christ, we know the path, we don’t need to search high and low, only HIGH… High on the mountain tops!
The Lord has often used mountains as a sacred place to teach and reveal to his servants sacred things. Like Nephi, Moses and the brother of Jared. We too can be given further light and knowledge. Our temples are established on “the mountain of the Lord”. (Isaiah 2:2) I believe the temple is like being on the top of a high mountain. We have a clearer view and perspective; nothing is obstructing our view. We are able to see our true selves, our divine identity, our life and the Savior as they really are.
How can we create our own mountain top experience? Spiritual mountain top moments can be experienced daily as we walk with the Lord by our side. As we increase our love for Him and learn who He really is, our relationship with Him will increase.
Like a mountain, at times life’s challenges can seem insurmountable. I know sometimes my relationship with the Savior comes easy; other times when trials come or I am complacent, it seems hard, even distant. It is not hard for Jesus, but it can be for me! I know that Jesus Christ NEVER gives up on having a relationship with us. As we are taught in Jacob 5, He grieves and weeps for us, His divine love is always there for us. Jesus said, “I have stretched forth mine hand all day long.” All day long? YES! Isn’t that beautiful? If the relationship seems distant, then “Is it I?...” YES, it IS me! My relationship with Christ is my choice. Jesus is always there; He waits for us. He runs to us! Elder Kearon just stated, “God is in relentless pursuit of you.” As we look (run) to Jesus, He can lift our hearts to a spiritual high. At the same time, Satan will do all in his power to see us fail at reaching our spiritual mountaintop with the Savior.
Unlike Satan, the Lord knows how to, and does, strengthen each of us. Just as He perfectly and intimately atoned for each of us... Infinitely, one by one. So, Jesus knows how to succor us in our afflictions, sickness, heartaches and sins. We can turn to Him with a “full purpose of heart”, and He can give us strength and heal us. (2 Timothy 4:17) “But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength.”
I know the Savior Jesus Christ will help us climb our mountains; he helps me daily climb mine. I cannot do it alone. I need HIM!
God uses mountains as a place to draw us closer to Him, whether we are serving in the house of the Lord, physically standing on top a mountain, or metaphorically climbing ours.
Our Savior “descended below all things,” so that he can lift us HIGHER, even to our spiritual mountain tops. He has risen “with healing in his wings.” (2 Nephi 25:13) Upon those wings, we can soar to the top of our mountains. As we stand beside the Lord in a personal relationship, we can move from our current plateaus and climb to higher ground. I testify as we seek a relationship with him, He will give us strength beyond our own! This relationship with the Lord is not always easy, but it IS always worth it!
I think back to the day I “missed it”. God created those beautiful mountains just for me! I was looking for something else and I missed it. I want to live my life WITH my Savior, so I don’t “miss Him.” I don’t want to miss all that He wants to bless me with. I don’t want to miss out on a covenant relationship, where I can spiritually grow with Him and become more like Him. I bear my testimony that Jesus Christ’s power is real, His power can help us move our mountains and live in a higher, holier way, where we can feel the ultimate love, joy and peace only Jesus Christ can bring.
—————————————————-
1 Elder Patrick Kearon, “God’s intent is to bring you home” Ensign May 2024