Icarus

Most people are fakes.

The type of "fake", however, varies.  There is the faux with a deep crack in the foundation of their character that makes them seek to destroy others from behind a smiling, empathetic facade.  The other fakes are those that hide their hurt behind a smile in fear of those that lack the authenticity to truly care.  Despite the former being most deeply disturbing, it is the latter that are the most concerning.  One requires us to pass tests against the limits of our own character and allegiance to love, the other demands our compassion extending deeper than the shallow depths of smile lines across someone's face.

Both call for us to be better Christians.

God formed the mountains for a reason.  They allow us a challenge to overcome, a summit to seek, and a refuge from predators.  Comfort is the enemy to growth.  We sacrificed comfort with Eve's first bite of the forbidden fruit, and so seeking this is commitment to an eternal hamster wheel. Absorbing any pride against this truth is like swallowing painkillers without regard to the side effects.

Icarus fell and did not recover.

In order to grow into any chance that we might carve our hearts to be more like God, we are often presented with and we must often choose the mountain.

To hate the sin and not the sinner.

To press deeper when your friend tells you they're "fine."

To evaluate our own motives in every action.

Even in our giving, we are inherently selfish. 

It is our repentance, thoughtful observation of the challenges in the climb, the threat of falling, the fear of success, and the need of complete trust in our God that holds every mountain and climber in the palm of his hand, that will build us wings that won't melt in the Son.