Watching the movie "The Man from Snowy River" last night. Not to spoil the movie for you if you have never seen it. After Jim's father dies, the other men who live up in the mountains come to tell Jim that he cannot stay. Jim is upset and doesn't understand. It's his home, why should he leave. One of the men tells him sternly "You have to earn the right to live up here." ( add an angry Australian accent here to get the full effect 

Ps 24 The earth is the Lord's, and all of it's fullness. He founded it upon the seas and established it upon  the waters.

"Who can ascend the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? 

He who has clean hands and a pure heart. Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully."

As Christ followers, we all want a "mountain top" experience. We bemoan our time in the valley.  

I love mountains. We were given the opportunity to go up Ben Nevis when we were in Scotland. The ride to what we thought was the top there was beautiful! Disembarking, we discovered that the top was about an hours walk up a rocky path. We crossed streams, climbed over rocks, many times needing both hands to help pull us forward. The path was narrow! We watched people trying to push strollers, carrying large backpacks and the physically challenged try to make the climb. You needed empty hands, a light load, and sturdy shoes. The thought "how do people survive up here?" ran through my mind. Yes it was worth it! Sitting on the rocky outcrop, what had seemed so big below, now was just a dot. You literally could see for miles.  We didn't get to the top without doing the work. 

Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? One who has clean hands and a pure heart. We must put Him first. Evaulate every area of our lives against His word. This world and God does not share the same view of what is clean and pure. His view is the only one that matters. 

Ben Nevis was available for all. Many choose to be satisfied just looking at it. Others go, but stop part way up. Some decide to make the climb but falter along the way. Few give all they have and make it to the top.

Jesus said "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me." You do have to "earn"it. You have to surrender the "easy, comfortable wide path" this world wants you to be on. The streams of Living Water that flow from the mountain top are calling. Are you coming?