Climb Every Mountain

By Shirley Raye Redmond

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)

Bandoola, a powerful Burmese elephant, climbed 5000 feet along the narrow ledge of a sandstone cliff face covered with dense vegetation. With grit and determination, the great tusker and his oozie or elephant handler, led 198 people (including sixty-four women and children and four British army
officers), forty-five elephants and eight calves more than one hundred miles from Burma into India in an daring attempt to escape invading Japanese troops during World War II.

So great was the strain that the elephants’ leg muscles shook for nearly an hour after their ordeal. Upon their safe arrival in India, Lt. Colonel John Williams, the officer in charge, offered up a prayer of thanksgiving. The nineteen-day trek had been grueling for animals and humans alike. Williams well knew that Bandoola and the other tuskers were used to hauling lumber for building bridges and military outposts, but were not accustomed to climbing mountains or carrying cargo. When he asked Po Toke, who’d raised Bandoola from a baby calf, what he’d told the elephant to get him to achieve the near miraculous feat, the oozie simply answered, “Must climb, Bandoola.”

The trust between Bandoola and Po Toke was so strong, the situation so dire, that man and beast strove together to lead the others on the dangerous journey to freedom. Although I’ve never faced such a journey as Bandoola’s, I have occasionally endured hardships that left me shaken and exhausted. Perhaps you have too. Thankfully, we have a trustworthy Savior who walks with us each step of the way, no matter how tough those steps may be.


Prayer Starter: Lord, you are the Good Shepherd who will lead me safely through life’s difficult mountain passes and the lowest valleys. Strengthen my resolve to trust in you.

I’m giving away a copy of Guideposts new inspiring devotional, ALL GOD’S CREATURES. Several of my own devotionals are included in this volume. If you’d like to participate, leave a comment. I will pick a name at random later in the week and the lucky recipient will receive a hard cover, signed copy of the book.