The story is told about a mountain in the European Alps that is as challenging to climb as it is beautiful. The goal of most of those who hike it is to reach the mountain vista that is simply called Beauty. The hike is exhausting and challenging. But hikers who reach this vista are rewarded with a breathtaking view as they gaze on the beauty of God’s grand creation.

Near the edge of the vista is a bench where hikers can sit and enjoy the view while resting their tired bodies. Carved on the back of the bench is this verse:

“Sit, rest, enjoy God’s glorious handiwork. Sit only for awhile, though, Then forward. Follow the trail further. The most glorious is yet to come.”

Not every hiker follows this encouragement. Some are content to remain at Beauty and celebrate their achievement of climbing most of the mountain. Then they turn around and retrace their steps down the mountain.

But some hikers keep going. The trail upward and onward is not easy. They move painfully and steadily until they reach the summit. The view from this spot is nearly beyond description. If beauty describes the first view, this view must have a better name. The local people call the view from this summit Paradise, and the hikers who reach it know why. Indeed, the verse on the bench was true: the most glorious is yet to come.

Our journey

The Christian’s journey through this life shares similarities to the hikers’ striving to reach their goals. By God’s grace, we are God’s dear children. God himself has given us the hope of glory in heaven through Jesus, and he has placed us on a journey through this life to eternity. This journey can be difficult and taxing, but that does not mean we do not have opportunities to stop and look at the view of God’s great care of us or of what he has allowed us to accomplish. Think of Jacob returning home after years with his uncle, Laban. He paused to marvel and proclaimed, “I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant” (Genesis 32:10).

There are also those times when we take time to rest and reflect on the glorious blessings of a loving relationship with the heavenly Father through faith in Jesus Christ. He gives us so much more. The earthly blessings are many and beautiful—family, friends, Christian fellowship, and many of life’s good things. It is the spiritual blessings, though, that profoundly affect us and bring the joy, contentment, and peace that all people desire. Times of rest and reflection bring not only needed solace to our life but inevitably move us to praise God for his abundant grace.