The Mountain Top

As we trudged up the hillside, I thought about my own spiritual journey and the journey of those I have encountered. When we first began the hike, we came across a high school group of kids on a field trip. They were fairly fresh, had notebooks for writing down things, and were in small groups and clumps of kids. There was a road a little farther up the mountain, and we thought that perhaps they had been doing some class research and followed it. Whatever it was, it seemed obvious that they did not go all the way to the mountain top.
These kids obviously did not intend to get to the top of the mountain.There are people who don't have the same goal as most of us. Heaven is not their objective. Perhaps research is their main goal, or socializing, or just enjoying nature, but whatever their goal is, it isn't to get to Heaven.
We continued marching stalwartly up the streambed and noticed others who went before us. They had been prepared: water, hiking sticks, snacks, you name it. We were unprepared, bringing a sandwich bag of celery and carrots along to help quench our thirst. This too reminded me of those I travel alongside on my spiritual journey. Some have the background teaching to help them along, others are novice travellers. The climb is seemingly easy for some and very difficult for others.
Along the way we met people who encouraged us to continue on: What a beautiful sight at the top...What a great day to be out...It's worth it! I have also had others encourage me along my spiritual walk: We're praying for you...How are you doing with ________?...This is what I did when I struggled with that...It gets easier!
And then we neared the top of the mountain. It DID get easier! The land levelled off for a little bit, we caught our breath, and we reenergized for the rest of the walk. My spiritual hike to Heaven has been similar, sometimes it is all uphill, and other times it is easier, more natural.
What we all had in common at the top was that we were at the top! We travelled there on different paths. Some were very steep and rugged like ours; some were less steep but had a longer distance. Some travellers had been prepared and some, like us, got there by the skin of our teeth. But we all made it! And that is our journey to Heaven. We are all headed in the same direction, no matter what path we are on or how we prepare ahead of time. And we all enjoy the same stunning vista at the top.