"Therefore the redeemed of The Lord shall return and come with singing unto Zion, and everlasting Joy shall be upon their heads"

I've been thinking about Zion lately - especially as I climb long hills from the Grand River valley.  Heading East to work.  Zion - a holy hill, a promised land, a sacred mountain.  I am well acquainted with its symbolism and various other places that hold similar meaning.  I was raised in the Paha Sapa - The Black Hills - those ancient and sacred mountains.  I understand the feeling of a holy place that nurtures your heart, life and dreams.  I understand seeking visions upon the mountain top.  I understand the internal strength it takes to climb up from a deep valley.  I understand how the effort is lessened by companionship and comraderie.

There is a Zion in everything.  A great obstacle where one may seek, find and be blessed by a Holy God.  Often, I can't even see the summit until I've reached it.  I may not even know I'm steadily climbing until I come face to face with a vista created by the hands of the Living God.  There, I realize how very small I am ... and likewise, how amazing and vast God's grace and mercy is - that He sees it fit to call me His son.

So remember, that immense struggle and long difficult way you're walking ... that thing that challenges and emboldens you ... if you are faithful to keep climbing, He will be faithful to meet with you all along the way.  Be lifted up.

and always aim farther than the top.

I love each and every one of you,
daniel