Hiking Metaphors

I have a hard time sitting still. I always have so much I want to accomplish in a day, or in my life, that it's hard to sit down when things can be done! I often don't let myself sit and rest until it is all done. But it will never be all done, so when will I take the time to rest?! I've been running out of steam and then I finally had an epiphany last week at young womens. We were talking about our theme for the year: "If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15) We learned how Moses climbed a mountain several times to get all the commandments from the Lord. It took a lot of hard work and effort for him to achieve this.
That got me thinking about hiking. Hiking is a great metaphor for life. There are peaks and valleys, high points and low points in life, but if I've learned anything it's that we won't reach the top of the mountain in this life because we'll never be perfect. This life is the journey to the top of the mountain. This life requires a lot of hard work, effort, discipline, and consistency in order to get close to the top of the mountain. As we work hard we will get better and we'll get higher up the mountain but we won't reach the top. Not yet. Only after a life of endurance and reliance on the Lord and use of the Atonement of Jesus Christ will we reach the top. And how amazing it will be.
We can and should  reach for our potential and work hard toward our goals still. Little by little we will make progress. But we should also slow down and enjoy the beauty around us. Stop for breaks as needed and help others on the way up. Don't go full speed trying to reach the top today. You won't get there. Take it slow, be steady and faithful, and make sure to have Christ with you every step of the way.