The Last Hill Home

Devotional for Sunday, June 4, 2000 by Mary Daniel

We live on a circular "drive" rather than a street or avenue, and this "drive" is on the side of a slope to the ocean, so that the people living at the bottom of the slope of the circle live on the waterfront.

We live near the top, so that we are mid-incline along the drive. That means that when one walks out our front door to the road, and turns left, one goes uphill and continues to climb, until beginning a descent lasting until one gets to the flatness of the waterfront homes. Then one begins the ascent again to get back to our home.

Conversely, should one turn to the right at the road, one would walk downhill, along to the "flats" of the waterfront, then begin the ascent to the top of the "drive", and then begin the descent down again.

So, one way, there are two hills to climb (a better workout), the other, only one. I choose the two-hill route, and I've always been a fast walker, completing the mile-long trek in 12 to 15 minutes -- 20 maximum, if my dog is particularly "busy".

After two weeks of immobility due to sciatica, my dog decided it was time to get me moving again, so we trekked out. Each day as we approached the final uphill climb, my dog kind of lingered and I'd say, "C'mon Carley, it's the last hill home." Although invigorating, our route now took us 45 minutes and I was sweating, sore and exhausted by the time we reached the door.

I am reminded of Christ's "Last Hill Home". He carried a heavy cross to the hill on which he was crucified and placed between two thieves, to languish and die. We know that through his death and resurrection we are given the promise "that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

Now that Easter is over, will we remember His "Last Hill Home" -- its purpose, and place in our lives, or will we once again allow ourselves to get so wrapped up in the hustle and bustle that makes up our lives that it's just another holiday that came too fast and is quickly gone?

Prayer: Bless us, we ask, that in our challenges, our struggles, our ups and downs, we may see your presence in every situation; not to compare, for there is no comparison to be made; but to remind us that it is through you that we find the strength and courage to meet those challenges and struggles we may face. Through Jesus Christ our Lord we pray. Amen.

Mary Daniel <marydee@shaw.ca>
Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada

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