“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” Philippians 3:12

Are you a Sound of Music fan? While our kids were growing up, we had a double-video-cassette version of it and they loved it. When they were toddlers, they asked to watch “Doh-doh” (because of the song that goes “Doh, a dear…🎵”) It was very cute! If you aren’t familiar with the story, young nun-to-be, Maria, struggles to fit in with life at the abbey and Mother Abbess decides she needs a change of pace to determine if being a nun is truly Maria’s calling. So, she sends Maria to serve as governess to a widowed captain’s seven children. The rest, as they say, is history as Maria and Captain Von Trapp fall in love and she discovers that God’s will for her is to be a wife and mother, not a nun.

Maria faces many obstacles along her journey of discovery, but her primary goal is “to find out what is the will of God and do it whole-heartedly.” That’s a worthy goal for anyone!

One famous song from the musical is Climb Every Mountain. I remember singing it with my high school choir in my freshman year back in 19… never mind! In the context of the story Mother Abbess sings it to Maria to encourage her to persevere through the challenges she was facing with the Von Trapps and “find your dream.” This inspires Maria to continue on her discovery journey and not long after she finds herself married to Captain Von Trapp.

So, what does all this have to do with you? Like Maria, you are facing obstacles and challenges that seem to hold you back from finding your dream and fulfilling your destiny. There are struggles that may indicate where you are right now is not where you were meant to be. Do you know what they are? Are you ready to face them and “climb every mountain” till you find your dream, the dream that God has for your life?

Obstacles are opportunities to discover God’s will for your life. If you face them with the determination to discover His will and do it wholeheartedly, what you now see as a challenge will turn out to be a gift.

What obstacles are you facing? How can you embrace your obstacle as an opportunity? Here are some perspective-shifting tips.

Obstacles are an opportunity for growth. Maria’s obstacles caused her to find new ways to function. She had to learn how to discipline herself so that she could bring discipline, order, and safety to the lives of the Von Trapp children. She found ways to use her God-given gifts and creativity to enhance the lives of those she was called to serve and became more confident in her own ability to face challenges and succeed in life.

What opportunities for growth are you facing right now? How might God want to use them to draw you closer to Him? How might your God-given gifts and creativity serve those around you and help you grow?

Obstacles often indicate you are on the right track. We tend to think that obstacles mean we should go another way, but often obstacles are indicators that we should keep going.

Maria saw her growing feelings for Captain Von Trapp as an indicator that she should go another way. In her desire to do God’s will she discounted something that might bring her joy and satisfaction. She believed that following those feelings was a distraction from God’s will, but discovered the exact reason why He sent her to the Von Trapps as she went back and faced them.

What obstacle in your life might indicate you are on the right track? This is when you really need the discernment of the Holy Spirit. God does use obstacles to re-direct us, but sometimes overcoming opposition is the path He uses to grow our confidence and trust in Him. If you are having trouble discerning if your obstacle is a redirection or a call to persevere you might need the help of someone you trust. Maria trusted Mother Abbess and found herself climbing a mountain rather than taking a different path.

Character is developed by persevering past obstacles. As Maria climbed her mountains, she found herself strengthened and established. She became a woman able to help her husband and guide her children. The Sound of Music is based on a true story. The movie ends with the family literally climbing a mountain to escape the Nazis who were taking over their beloved home country of Austria. Maria became a secure and stable woman who was ready to meet this huge challenge by facing and overcoming the many other obstacles she had encountered prior to that moment.

My friend, you have already faced many obstacles in your life. It might help you to step back and remember that as you consider how to face this current obstacle that seems like a rocky, steep mountain. God has guided you in the past. He has strengthened and enabled you to overcome other mountains that seemed just as steep and rocky. You’ve done it before. Your character has been developed. You are ready and able to persevere past this one. With Him, you can do it!

Moving forward is always a choice and a challenge. You get to choose. Are you going to continue to take steps forward, even if they are small ones? Are you going to view your obstacles as reasons to quit or opportunities for growth?

Dear Friend, there really is more for you. As much as you might like a smooth path, it’s more likely to have twists, turns, and rocks. Don’t let those distract you from finding out what is the will of God and doing it wholeheartedly.

How do you face your obstacles? Climb every mountain! Discover the dream God has for your life!

Key Question: How might my obstacle be an opportunity?

A Scripture to Consider: “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” Philippians 3:12

A YES Challenge: Consider your current obstacle. How might God be using it for growth in your life? Is it an indicator that it’s time to redirect or persevere? How might God be strengthening your character through it? What will you do today to pursue God’s will?

Prayer: Father, Your plans for me are so much bigger than I can imagine. You want me to reflect the character of Your Son, Jesus. My highest goal is to find out what Your will is and do it wholeheartedly. Help me to view my current obstacles as opportunities. Show me how to accept my current challenge as a gift from You. Set my feet on the path You have for me and strengthen me to persevere. Amen.