A couple decades ago the words of two songs fit perfectly with my backpacking experiences.
I’m blessed forever with the best-of-the-best memories hiking in the mountains with my sons.
I’m indebted to my oldest for doing the meticulous planning in advance and the professional navigation on all the trips.
I always joked that I just came along “for the ride”.
Well, that’s a classic oxymoron, with good, bad, and ? ? ? along the way.
I carried my own backpack, my share of the weight, but I fully experienced ‘carefree’ over and over ‘on top of the mountain’.
I can’t imagine a better adventure to solidify relationships, experience endurance, wonder at THE WONDERS, and search the soul in silence (you see, physical exertion at high altitude, up to 10,000′, leaves little oxygen to spare for conversation).
Therefore, I also can’t imagine backpacking in the mountains, above the tree line, without a profound spiritual experience, reviewing everything left behind for awhile, for this.
– – –
So, now the songs:
“When I am down
And, oh, my soul, so weary
When troubles come
And my heart burdened be
Then, I am still and wait here
In the silence
Until You come
And sit awhile with me
You raise me up
So I can stand on mountains
You raise me up
To walk on stormy seas
I am strong
When I am on Your shoulders
You raise me up
To more than I can be
There is no life – no life without this hunger
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly
But when You come and I am filled with wonder
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity
You raise me up
So I can stand on mountains
You raise me up
To walk on stormy seas
I am strong
When I am on Your shoulders
You raise me up
To more than I can be”
– – –
“When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that’s of worth
That will bless Your heart
I’ll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You’re looking into my heart
I’m coming back to the heart of worship
And it’s all about You, it’s all about You, Jesus
I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it
When it’s all about You, it’s all about You, Jesus
King of endless worth
No one could express
How much you deserve
Though I’m weak and poor
All I have is Yours
Every single breath!
I’ll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You’re looking into my heart
I’m coming back to the heart of worship
And it’s all about You, it’s all about You, Jesus
I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it
When it’s all about You, it’s all about You, Jesus”
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