Chapter 1
A young man climbs a mountain, seeking what he cannot see.
He comes back down, and says he could see all the beauty of the sky and lands for as far around as he could see.
A middle aged man climbs the mountain, seeking what he cannot see.
He comes back down, and says he can see the future in the changes of the far landscape with Industrialism.
An old man climbs the mountain, seeking what he cannot see.
He comes back down on torn hands and knees, weeping. He said he saw the face of God.
An even older man climbs the mountain, seeking what he cannot see.
He did not return.
Did he find what he was seeking?
Even as a child, Abraham could hear the mountain calling to him. His mother would often catch him just sitting there staring at the mountain.
"What are you looking at son?"
"I don't know yet," he would reply.
As he grew, his fascination with the mountain never waned.
"Where do the mountains come from?"
"They are a beautiful gift from God," his mother replied.
"Why?"
"Because he loves us and wants us to be surrounded by his glory," she replied.
Abraham turned to take in a panoramic view of the mountains surrounding them. They lived deep within a valley that had been settled hundreds of years ago by Abraham's great great grandfather Issah, a man of God. God had led him here and this is where their people have thrived.
"What is the Great mountain called?" he points to the one that calls to him.
"That is God's Mountain. It has been here the longest and is the closest to God," she smiles, elated in her son's interest in the mountain.
"Has anyone ever climbed God's Mountain?"
"Only one person that I know of, Issah, your great great grandfather."
"What did he find?" Abraham asks, never taking his eyes from the mountain.
"I don't know, but they say he found what he was looking for," she smiles, looking at the mighty mountain.
"I'm going to climb it someday."
"I hope you do. What are you looking for?" his mother asks.
"I don't know yet," Abraham replies.
When Abraham becomes a teen he starts traveling to the base of the mountain. He can hear the mountain calling to him more clearly now. He stands for hours looking up at the terrain of the mountain, trying to determine the best route to take.
Abraham starts sketching the mountain, trying to understand it better. He starts staying for days on end, just looking at the mountain.
"Have you found what you're looking for yet my love?" his mother asks when he returns.
"Not yet," he replies.
Abraham thinks of what will be needed to make the climb. He and some friends even practice climbing on a smaller mountain. He becomes quite proficient at climbing.
Even when he works in the fields, he often stops and listens to the mountain. Milking the cows he listens. Replacing the thatched roof, he listens. Gathering wood for the fire, he listens. Sitting quietly in the evening, he listens.
"What does the mountain say to you son?"
"I don't know yet."
Abraham grows into a strong and kind man, willing to help anyone in need in the small village. Always offering a gentle word to whomever he talks to.
Abraham has finally decided to climb the mountain.
"I hope you find what you are seeking my son. Be safe in God's arms," she kisses him gently on the cheek.
Abraham has been climbing for three days. Each day becomes more difficult the higher he gets. When he feels himself weakening, he calls out to God for the strength to continue.
On day seven, he reaches the apex. His breath is a struggle and his body is racked in pain, but when he looks out, his strength returns, and he is in awe of what he sees.
The blue sky goes on forever, not cut off by the mountains as down in the valley. He sees the curve of the range as it wraps around the valley of his home and other mountains scattered out in the distance. Lush green hills roll and wander, thick forests, and rivers meander through his vision.
Abraham turns and looks down into the valley towards his home, but he cannot see his little village his is so high up on God's Mountain.
The next morning, Abraham descends the great mountain with a smile in his heart. The descent is much easier, only taking him four days to reach home.
Someone sees him coming across the fields, and sends up an alarm. The villagers gather on the edge of the village and watch his approach with joy. In the very front is the young man's mother with tearful eyes.
"My son has returned, praise God," she places her hands on his cheeks kissing his forehead. "Welcome home my son. Did you find what you were seeking?"
"No. But I do have many wonders to share," he smiles brightly.
A feast is prepared, and the village gathers to hear what the young man has to say.
Abraham regales them with his adventure. The endless sky, beautiful rolling green fields, the large clusters of trees, and the rivers that are carved into the land.
Life in the valley continues as when it was settled. They know nothing of electricity or automobiles. They have no gas engines or running water. They live as God intended. Simple, humble and in God’s grace.
As the children grow into adulthood, they learn a trade. The men become carpenters, blacksmiths, village hunters, and on a rare occasion, one may become a preacher if called.
The women become seamstresses, teachers, learn pottery, learn the use of herbs and some become midwives. There is a group of elders that act as government, ruling over minor disputes, the council is also the elders of the church.
Abraham becomes a blacksmith. Honing his skills, he creates simple tools to make life easier for his village. His trade transforms him into a mountain of a man, with a heart as big.
One of the elders was coming into the main one day when the axle on his wagon broke. Abraham easily balanced the wagon on his shoulders as the repairs were made. Another was clearing a new field, coming up on a great boulder, which Abraham dug up through the night, and rolled away, later shattering it into workable pieces for building.
But he always took the time to listen to the mountain, now clearly calling out his name.
Abraham takes a wife, bringing forth several children to carry on his legacy. He tells them the story of climbing God’s Mountain as a young man and his plans to do so again. He tells them the story of their grandfather four generations back.
His second son, Elijah repeatedly asks for the story to be retold, looking at the mountain as it comes forth.
”What do you hear son?” Abraham asks the boy as he gazes at the mighty mountain.
“Nothing,” the boy says sadly.
“What do you feel in your heart?”
“I’m not sure. Sadness, but also a longing.”
“Maybe the mountain is calling you in a different way,” Abraham explains to him.
“I hope so,” the boy smiles.
Myla, Abraham’s mother grows weak with age. He knows she will be joining his father soon. He stays close to her at all times, gathering all the love and memories he can before she goes to meet the heavenly father.
The deep sorrow he feels when she’s gone is concerning for his family and the village. His heart grows weak in faith, he begins to question God, but receives no answer.
One night, a great voice booms through his mind as he sleeps.
“Come!”
“Why? Why should I bow to you after taking my mother from me? She was my rock. She fully held my heart!” Abraham shouts into the darkness.
“Seek!” the voice commands.
Abraham wanders listlessly for days, becoming a mere ghost of the man he once was.
“Father.”
Abraham turns to see his near grown son Elijah, looking at him sadly. Where did the time go? He was but a young boy, when last he looked upon his face.
“I heard the mountain father. It gave me a message for you,” Elijah frowns.
“And what did the great mountain have for me that it could not say to me?” Abraham says with anger.
“Seek.”
The word reverberated through Abraham’s mind. The child could not have known, he never said a word about that night. Abraham flushes with a warmth that grows in his heart, an all encompassing warmth that forces him to his feet and begins packing for his climb.
Abraham is older now, but still full of youth enough to make the climb. As he bids his family and the village farewell, he turns with a lively step.
