Are You Staring Up a Term 4 Mountain Range?
I lift up my eyes to the mountains –
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2 (NIVUK)
As Term 4 kicks off, the weight of leadership can feel heavier than at other times. Reports, budgets, staffing, enrolments, compliance, celebrations, graduations, and planning for the future, all compete for energy and focus. One year is drawing to a close while the next is already demanding attention. Throw in an unanticipated crisis or three, and Term 4 really makes an impression.
When the demands stack high, it can feel like we’re staring up at a mountain range: immovable, overwhelming, and beyond our strength to climb. In Psalm 121, the psalmist begins with that same picture – eyes lifted to the mountains, asking: ‘Where does my help come from?’ The answer is not found in human stamina or clever strategy, but in the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth – the God who parted the Red Sea, fed Elijah in the wilderness, walked with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fire, shut the lions’ mouths for Daniel, and toppled Goliath before David.
Just as he saw them, God sees you.
Just as he came through for them, God comes through for you.
Just as he made a way for Israel, God can make a way through blocked budgets or complex compliance.
Just as he fed Elijah, God can supply the right staff appointment or resource at just the right time.
Just as his angel stood with his people in the fire, God can steady you when the heat is on.
Just as he silenced the lions, God can quieten the voices of opposition or fear.
Just as he equipped David to bring down Goliath, God can enable you with what you need – even when it looks inadequate by the world’s standards.
Psalm 121 does not deny the presence of mountains – and Term 4 can make them feel especially steep. It doesn’t pretend the path is flat or the journey is easy. Rather, it re-anchors our vision: the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth, is our help. He is our shade, our guard, our keeper.
So, as you serve this term, lift your eyes. The mountains may remain, but so does your keeper – faithful, present and unshakable.
Maker of heaven and earth, carry us through this final term. Make a way, meet our needs, steady our steps, silence our fears and equip us for what lies ahead. Anchor our leadership in your promises and provision. Amen.
