Skye was talking about our hike to Mount Jumullong Mango while we were on Guam. We had tried before, but Skye fell HARD! His knee landed so hard on a rock that the rock broke to pieces! Between that, and not realizing yet that I was anemic and getting dizzy constantly, and taking turns holding Annabelle, we made the decision to go back down and try another time.

Fast forward to a few weeks before we were to leave the island. We were determined to make it up to see those crosses before we left!

Skye said that by the time he got up there, he felt like he looked beat up and bloody like Jesus did when He had to carry His cross up. We reminisced over the slipping in mud and falling, tripping, getting cuts from the blade grass, stopping for water breaks, fighting off mosquitoes, Annabelle needing held, it feeling like over 100°F. We talked about how it seemed like the devil didn’t want us to make it.

Good word and life lesson for us all…
The enemy comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. (John 10:10)  He doesn’t want us to make it to the destination God has planned for us. He will put obstacles in our way so that we may stumble. He will tempt us in hopes that we will take the wrong path. He will feed us lies so that our thoughts don’t align with the Father’s, so that we think we aren’t good enough or worthy for the position and goodness God has for us.

Once we made it to the peak I cried. At the sheer beauty of the crosses overlooking the beautiful water, looking down the mountain at the beaches and turquoise bays. It was simply magnificent. Thinking of the cross and what it means to me as a Christ follower. Thinking of my Jesus having to carry the heavy cross up knowing what was waiting for him… a death He didn’t deserve. But the sacrifice He was so willing to give for us. Thank You Jesus!

I think there’s a misconception that once you become a Christian, things should be easy peasy. Life, whether you follow Jesus or not, is  going to leave you with bumps, bruises, and scars. But the hope and encouragement we have available to us along this journey is like nothing else. And oh the end… when we leave this earthly body and get to the eternity in heaven awaiting us, it will be more than worth it!