I saw a young man screaming in an open rice field. He is filled with anger, frustrations, disappointment, and despair. He was throwing bad words against God because he felt like all his prayers were always left unanswered. He was blaming God for all the unlucky situations he has been in to. He was an active follower of God but everything changed when life shoke him. He lost his hope, he stopped loving, and he completely turned his back from God. While he was busy confronting God, an old man suddenly came across him. He didn't even notice his coming. He just found the old man standing next to him. The old man didn't utter any word, nor he made an initiative to start a conversation. The young man ignored the old man and he left him.
One day, the young man had another bad day and he again released all his frustrations in that open field while resting his forearms on the barricade. The exact same old man suddenly appeared and the young man again didn't notice his coming because he was busy surfing along his raging emotions. The old man didn't try to bother him and he was just busy taking glances on the high mountains that surround the vastness of rice field. The young man has been becalmed and his anger was replaced by an intriguing curiosity about the old man beside him. He was about to start a conversation when the old man suddenly talked.
“You are burdened, aren't you?” asked the old man.
The young man was a bit shamed as a confirmation of what he really feels.
“I just can't believe that God is actually a total liar. He said He will never leave me. He said he will never forsake me. He said He will provide. He said He loves me. But where? He only showed me the exact opposite of His own words! Look at me now, I'm damned. I just failed two of my subjects. I had to decline the invitation to perform in a popular stage because I have to take care of my brother who went to an accident. And now, I lost the chance to attend the workshop that'll qualify me to join in a prestigious writing contest because of the interruption with the connectivity brought by the typhoon. I thought He's in control? Why did He allow these things to happen? Where is He?!” the young man bursted out his resentments against God.
The old man made a sweet smile and he took a glimpse on the young man. He then diverted his glances back to the mountains that surround the wide space of a rice field.
“Do you see those high mountains?” the old man asked. The young man nodded and he didn't know why but the voice of the old man calmed him even more. He also felt more courage to listen more.
“Those high mountains actually block the clouds from passing along the other side. I've spent my years in the study of meteorology and we found out that mountains actually compromises that whole aspect of a typhoon once it passes along it. As a consequence, the typhoon weakens.” the old man explained and he took a glance on the young man who was already skeptic about what the old man really wanted to say.
The old man noticed the confusion of the young man so he then talked. “In life, having difficulties, struggles and challenges is already a common thing to observe. Every point of our journey has a mountain that we need to climb. We have the option to pursue that mountain to get on the other side or just choose to walk through its feet. And to admit it or not, we feel fulfilled whenever we succeed on climbing a mountain 'cause that's indeed a victory to be triumphant with. But you know, not all mountains of life are intended to destroy us or to hinder our desires. There are mountains that are set on our way, not to stop us, but to protect us. There are mountains that are set not to discourage us but to actually protect us from the upcoming storms that we failed to see from the very start. These mountains weaken the storms that are already on their way to shake us more. And it's such a great relief to realize that we can no longer experience its full intensity. There's always a reason why things have to happen, and we have to widen our understanding to finally see the blessings behind it. Even the mountains are actually helping us to successfully go through other storms of life. These mountains don't only strengthen us, they actually take the first combat to weaken the upcoming storms for us to have an easier task to defeat it. You see that?” the old man again explained and it left the young man in awe.
The young man felt embarrassed because of the rushing thoughts of realizations. He began to realize that he has been very self-centered about what he may benefit rather than getting to see the map of his life journey in a wider field of view.
I smiled when I realized something. God will give us mountains along the way not to hinder us from achieving our dreams but to block the coming storms that might destroy all the hopes we have in our cups. It's indeed very important to have more wisdom than leaning on our own understanding. I know life isn't an easy choice 'cause no one actually promised that it'll be a piece of cake. However, it may be a tough road to head, it's indeed a worthwhile encounter to experience. Whatever we're going through, always keep in mind that even the most unlucky day can actually be the blessed day to be thankful for. I know it's hard, but we have to catch more hope and have faith that we'll always overcome whatever obstacles that await us ahead. Remember, God's thoughts are higher than ours. And it's truly a relieving choice decide to surrender all that we've got to the Most High who has an absolute knowledge and the highest wisdom with the mysteries of every timeframe. Just trust His plans and believe that He's always in control. Shalawam!
