Ascension. Step by step. Stride by stride. Higher and higher. He paves the way steadying our feet, readying our hearts, cleansing our souls. Continue upward. Don’t stop. Keep going. As He leads the way, you can hear Him beckoning you onward. He has called you higher. You no longer need to stay in this place. The time has come to ascend.

Have you ever noticed when ascending a mountain there are two natural occurrences? The path narrows and the incline becomes steep. And isn’t that the case in our spiritual lives? As Jesus calls us into deeper intimacy, the way becomes narrow and the way becomes steep.

“Arise my love, my beautiful companion and run with me to the higher place. For now is the time to Arise and come away with me.”
— Song of Songs 2:13c TPT

The path is narrow.

As we plunge into a life of intimacy with the Holy Spirit, the desires of the flesh are choked out by the ways of the Spirit. On this journey of ascension, there simply isn’t room on the path for the cares of this world. The path narrows to focus our attention and eliminate distractions. Paul illustrated this phenomenon best in his letter to the church in Galatia.

“As you yield freely and fully to the dynamic life and power of the Holy Spirit, you will abandon the craving of your self-life. For your self-life craves the things that offend the Holy Spirit and hinder Him from living freely within you! And the Holy Spirit’s intense cravings hinder your old self-life from dominating you! So then, the two incompatible and conflicting forces within you are your self-life of the flesh and the new creation life of the Spirit.” — Galatians 5:16-17 TPT

When we walk in stride with the Spirit, God transforms our desires to align with His heart. In order to reach the higher places, a decluttering is required. He purges our priorities and tests what we claim to value. He yearns to bring us closer to Him and closer to His heart. But He won’t force us. He wants us to come to Him willingly, not begrudgingly. He gives us the choice, knowing there is a chance that we won’t choose Him. In reality, many of us will not choose this road because this way requires sacrifice. This is a harsh truth, but Scripturally founded.

Let’s be completely honest with ourselves—are we truly willing and ready to embark on the journey to the higher place? The road is so narrow because many choose to follow a more populous one. They are simply unwilling to leave the flesh behind. Jesus Himself warned us of this truth.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” — Matthew 7:13-14 NIV

The incline is steep.

As you ascend, you will notice the path becomes increasingly steep. Remember, the cliffs of intimacy are where so few choose to go. But God prepares us for this trek with an incredible promise.

“The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer. He enables me to go on the heights.” — Habakkuk 3:19 NIV

In other translations it says, “He will make my feet like hinds’ feet and He will make me walk upon high places.” He equips us for the high places! Where He has called us, He will equip us!

If you feel you have been called higher but are scared you are not equipped for the journey, rest assured, dear one, God will prepare you. Only in His strength will we be able to walk on the high places.

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.” — Ephesians 3:20 NIV

Within us. He uniquely calls and qualifies us. He asks you to take each step of faith, one at a time. And as you climb higher, He strengthens your ankles, emboldens your courage, and firms your feet so you will have the ability to climb the heights.

The higher place leads us to a crux. The path is narrow and steep, and there is indeed an easier route, but this greater traveled and well-paved road does not lead to the cliffs of intimacy—the higher place.

On this journey, where do you find yourself? Are you stopping the ascent because the path is narrow or because the way is steep? Examine yourself. What is holding you back from reaching the higher place? When God calls us to ARISE, He is calling us away from the crowded lanes of ease and into a more loving and intimate relationship with Him. He has called you higher! Are you ready to climb?

- Kierstin Almstrum, ARISE Director of Online Operations and Project Management