Mountains are some of those things in nature seen as universally beautiful. How many photographs capture mountain peaks? How many souvenirs depict their reaches? There’s a great wonderment surrounding them as well. How many stories are there about mountains? How many wondrous works of art magnify their glory, and why is there a desire in so many adventures to conquer such heights? Mountains are not just happenstance. They are designed with the richest of meanings. I’ve talked about them before, but it’s time to recap with new findings, bring it all together, and explore them further. 

I believe mountains are reflections of mankind, reflecting different types of people. They serve as inspiration and something to reach for, but they also serve as warnings of what not to become. Because mountains have a powerful reflective property, they call for us to stop and check who we are, to see who we have become. Therefore, the question I raise for myself and all my readers is, what kind of mountain are you? Of course first we must examine the different types of mountains:

The Unwavering Mountain

My first relation of mountains to people was at Wheeler Peak in Great Basin National Park in Nevada. I beheld the mountain from below. I just looked up at it and thought, that is going nowhere, and then the word, “unwavering,” was sent my way. In a world where so much is constantly changing, dependable, consistent, reliable people are rare. I wish to be that constant reliable anchor of a person on the landscape of life. This is our first type of mountain. 

The Glacial Mountain

It is great to strive to be an unwavering mountain, but an unwavering mountain can also be much more. Let’s take a look at the most recent mountain I observed: Mount Rainier. It is a glacial mountain. It’s been through many storms and trials of life, which as a result has left ice and glaciers at its peak. This mountain takes all it has experienced, the richness of life, those storms which in the moment might seem bad but in the end are used for good, for wisdom and opportunity, and creates glaciers. Then this mountain helps deliver the life-giving waters to the forest. It does so through self-sacrifice. The glaciers wear the mountain down and take a toll on it, yet it never forfeits its integrity. Through its eroding glaciers it creates rivers of life, providing so much enrichment, making things around it grow and prosper.  The glacier lilies, the flopping marmots, the forest with all its trees and wildlife are a testament to the character of the mountain. 

I believe we read about this mountain in Scripture as Jesus talks about it as the fruit-bearing Christian. He says, “Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” This mountain is very fruitful. This mountain is also one of the “priests.” When God tells Moses His people will be a “kingdom of priests,” I believe he is talking about this kind of mountain. No, this doesn’t mean this type of person or “mountain” has to be ordained, but it means this person is connected to the Father and intercedes on the behalf of others to draw them to the salvation of Christ. This mountain has responsibility and jurisdiction over the life around it. It is a leader, a giver modeled after the Creator Himself. This mountain develops with age and wisdom, thus it wears a “crown of splendor.” Like the hairs of a wise and righteous man, it’s capped in white. And beneath its snow cap, the mountain wears wrinkles and scars on its face, but it’s revered for such things.  It’s dignified through age and experience. 

The Wooded Mountain

Another type of mountain is the wooded mountain. A glacial mountain can also be a wooden mountain, but not all wooded mountains are glacial. Take for example the Great Smoky Mountains or any of the mountains in the Appalachian chain. There are no glaciers, yet these mountains are extremely fruitful. The Smokies boast one of the most diverse and bountiful biospheres in the world. These mountains too are unwavering, but what truly sets them apart is the very thick and rich forest which stretches all over them. These deep woods are filled with many secrets and stories. It’s not to say this type of mountain or person is secretive, but it is to say this person is a confidant. It has the trust of others. Life comes to these mountains with all their stories and hurts and these mountains become a sanctuary for others. I look at how much life calls these types of mountains home. These mountains are safe people to confide in. They are nurturers. These people have a forest of knowledge of all who have trust in them. These mountains care and thus remember and retain all that comes their way. They may not be as wise and tall as the glacial mountains, but these mountains are true friends who value all you share with them. You can trust anything with them. They will fold you up in their branches. 

The Desert Mountain

Opposite of the wooded mountain is the desert mountain. Much like the Panamint Mountains in the Mojave Desert bordering Death Valley, these mountains are not fruitful. They are bitter and barren. They do not like to feed life around them. It’s evident is the lack of life around them. They are not confidants nor sanctuaries for life, for they have no forest at all. They are harsh. Their existence in life produces little, and what it does produce is prickly. Yes, they are still unwavering, but in the sense that you can depend on the mountains not for anything other than to take up space and maybe create a spectacle. It’s sad, but look around. There are a lot of desert mountains. They have nothing to show for the life they’ve been given. They are also very thirsty for Truth whether they know it or not. All the signs are there. 

The Explosive Volcanic Mountain 

Another type of undesirable mountain is the explosive volcanic mountain. They are destructive and inclined to harmful anger. They spew lava. Unlike the glacial and wooden mountains which produce much fruit, these mountains take it away. They tear others down and scorch them with words and actions. They are harassers spewing bitter words and setting friendships up in flames. These explosive volcanic mountains can erupt because of many different things, but it’s almost always because of self-centeredness at the core and the inability to adapt to the forces around them. They easily disregard the life on their mountainsides. They are not unwavering, for their nature is changing. They have great influence but in a negative way, changing the landscape of life for the worse. They are not safe people, yet many people are prone to become volcanic mountains. Let’s beware. 

The Inactive Volcanic Mountain 

The world “Inactive” might come with a negative connotation, but this doesn’t have to do with laziness or obsoletism at all. This has to do with exhibiting a great deal of self-control, regulation, and discipline. This mountain has overcome its nature. Sometimes this mountain may become active but in doing so is not explosive, and it’s not defined by being active. This type of mountain can let off steam and fumaroles without destruction, without exploding with lava. This mountain knows of its destructive nature and potential, but overcomes it. It takes its bad nature, or bad habit, and renders it “inactive,” whenever it starts to boil beneath the surface. I think of Popocatepetl next to Mexico City. It is active, but it is not feared, for it’s not destructive. It lets off steam and returns to calm, allowing forests to thrive around it. From time to time it messes up. It does have minor explosions, but it’s not defined by a destructive nature. It yet is reliable and life-giving. It longs to be made new, and that is in a righteous pursuit. 

The Crater Lake

I veer from mountains to a lake here, but Crater Lake was once a mountain, so it is to be considered among the mountains. Crater Lake has a history. It has been through a lot, but it is on the other side of explosion and now at peace. It is in a state of beauty. It’s a survivor. it’s redeemed. It has suffered to great extent and been through great pain, but now there is beauty from pain. It is born again and is a new creation, and therefore it is a testimony of redemption. Many can relate to Crater Lake for different aspects of their life that have been redeemed. For some it is their whole person who has been redeemed through forgiveness in the love of Christ. Crater Lake may be calm and not as commanding as the highest peaks, but its resolve and peace is a strong testimony. It does not go unnoticed. In a world of chaos, a countenance of peace is powerful. 

The Rock-Slide Mountain

There’s a last type of mountain I can identify as of now. It’s the rock-slide mountain. It’s a weak mountain. When the earthquakes of life come, which are inevitable, it cowers and tumbles. It doesn’t mean to, but on account of its weakness, it becomes destructive to those around it. On my later travels in Canada I would come acquainted to Turtle Mountain where Canada’s most deadly rockslide occurred. The event has come to be called “Frank Slide.” This mountain essentially buried the whole town of Frank, taking many lives with it, rendering the landscape lifeless and fruitless. This type of mountain is pitiful, for it lacks fortitude and strength. Cowardice and weakness come natural to man, but courage and strength must be fought for and pursued. The rock-slide mountain, or person, is responsible for its sorry state. It has lacked to build itself up, to form a foundation. It must be known that the foundation to weather any storm and any earthquake in life is only that found in God’s Word and through Jesus Christ. This Word also can’t just reside on the mountainside, or surface, either. It must live at the very base and core of a person. It is foundational for fortitude in this life and to become unwavering. 

So now that I’ve discussed the mountains in full, let me pose the question yet again: What kind of mountain are you? You may have attributes of a few different types of mountains. I believe many people do. Step back from yourself for a moment and observe. What do you see? What does your mountain look like? Take a photograph. Do you see affirmation? Do you see warning? Do you see conviction? May this help steer you to strive to be a better mountain and encourage you onward in the great adventure of life. 

If you enjoyed reading this, check out my book “Still, Calm, and Quiet“

Check out my previous entry here: “Skyline, Longmire, and My Walk of Shame”

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