I recently had an experience that left a deep impression on me. I was part of a group of nine people that started off on an attempt to climb Ruby Mountain in the Canadian Rockies. Among these nine was a father and his 7-year-old daughter who "really" wanted to climb the mountain.

From our camp, we first had to walk close to 5 miles through a high altitude alpine meadow to reach the south base of the mountain. Once we arrived there, we faced a short but quite challenging climb to get to the lower end of the slope that led to the peak. Once we were on the lower slope, we still had about a mile of uphill climbing on a fairly even, but nevertheless exhausting slope that led to the top of the mountain.

Fading determination

After the first few miles, the smallest legs in the party began to tire and the determination that was there at first began to fade. That was when the saga of the most interesting example of love and determination from the father really began. Our pace slowed and there were pauses to rest and be refreshed. For a little while we all wondered if we could manage the climb before it would be too dark. The father encouraged the little girl, rested with her, challenged her, "bribed" her, made her feel like part of his team, and finally carried her when she could or would go no further.

We left at 9 a.m. and it took close to four hours to cover the first stage of the hike or climb. By about 2:30 p.m. we had finally arrived above the challenging part onto the lower slope of Ruby. Since this was my son and granddaughter, I often was close and heard the exchanges. She did not want to go any further. She did not want to climb the mountain--and always the steady and patient voice of her father encouraged her, challenged her and often he carried her. The father did not seem to get tired or discouraged throughout the whole experience.

At one point, I encouraged my son to go on ahead and I would stay behind with his daughter. He said he would keep trying and maybe she would change her mind. I realized that he sensed that it had become very important that she complete the climb. This was no longer just a mountain we were climbing, it was an event in her life that would have a great impact.

Patiently and lovingly he spoke with her: "You take 100 steps and I will carry you for 100 steps--we will be a team," he stated. I noticed that her 100 steps usually were only about 20 and then Dad would bend down and "piggyback" his daughter for a while.

While progress seemed slow, the top of the mountain actually got a lot closer. Soon three older children that were with us reached the top and called down that they had arrived. It was about 5 p.m. The 7-year-old ran the last 200 feet up the mountain. She made it! Then we all enjoyed the spectacular view, the sense of accomplishment and success in meeting this challenge. We also felt the presence of God in the awe that the view inspired.

The little girl changed. She was full of life and energy. She was helping us take video pictures and shared our lunches. On the descent, the little legs had renewed energy. To my amazement my granddaughter walked all the way down the slope, clambered down the challenging portion and walked the remaining almost 5 miles back to camp without once asking for a "piggyback" ride. She had changed. All the efforts of the father had been rewarded. It brought tears to our eyes as we recognized the value of the struggle.

The spiritual mountain

In Isaiah 63:7-9 we read about God the Father working with His children. He too recognizes the benefits that His children will have after climbing the spiritual mountain He has set before them. He too promises never to leave us (Hebrews 13:5-6) and that He will help us. He too has carried His children "piggyback" when they could go no further. He too exhibits endless patience and love.

Isaiah writes that when Israel was "afflicted" He too was afflicted. Just as this human father suffered with all the tears and cries of the child, God the Father also empathizes with us--yet insists that we complete the climb. God knows that the benefits of reaching the top are worth every bit of suffering that we may experience. Paul stated that he counted nothing he lost to be as important as attaining the goal (Philippians 3:8-11). In Romans 14:4 Paul shows that God helps the weak and we too are to learn that lesson.

Mankind has been created to become like God. That is a very high mountain and we are not able to climb it alone. God knows the way. He knows the suffering and effort that is needed. He is a loving Father who is determined that His children will reach the top. There is only one way to climb a mountain. One starts at the bottom and slowly, sometimes painfully, works toward reaching the top. Steps may have to be retraced; rests will need to be taken. Refreshment is needed. Encouragement and support are requirements for the journey. The Bible says that even Jesus was made "perfect" by what He suffered (Hebrews 2:10).

We all know that building strong bodies and developing character are both dependent on enduring suffering and pain. Setting the will, fighting both fatigue and the urge to quit, not always taking the easy road--all of these, and more, are the steps we must take to reach the top of any mountain.

Isaiah 40:9-11 gives great hope to those who are struggling. God is likened to a shepherd who carries the lambs. God also knows that we must be willing to exert our own effort. We must take our "100 steps." It is good for us to do this. We benefit in so many ways, but often we simply do not grasp what has happened.

My granddaughter was without doubt the first 7-year-old girl to ever climb this mountain. The fact that she needed help from a loving father takes nothing away from the fact that the end result was a change in her. I hope the change will be lifelong, and that a bond was forged between father and daughter as they shared the joy and the suffering.

God knew this all along. We too are experiencing a strong bond being formed between us and our Father. We too share the joy and suffering with our Father.

One day, we will stand on the peak of the spiritual mountain. We will know it was worth the climb. We will also be changed (1 Corinthians 15:52). Let us set our feet on God's path with confidence. Let us look to Him for strength and let us do our part with appreciation and gladness.