We are back in South Africa, and I am once again reveling in the majestic beauty of the Outeniqua mountains that surround us here. Today the sun hid behind multi-gossamer layers of clouds, some of them wrapping themselves around the peaks we know so well. The views were breathtaking, and it was just as well that I was not the driver, because (I am not ashamed to admit this), their beauty overwhelmed me almost to tears. When you live in Florida, mountains become gifts of a very special kind!

The Psalmist sang it so long ago, but with all my heart I too wanted to sing: ‘I will lift my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth!’

In our world that produces whole libraries of self-improvement books, and endless videos on social media that claim to give us ‘how to’ formulae for successful living, it becomes all too easy to say, like a little child eager to show off its skills – ‘I can do it by myself.’ In fact, perhaps we have even joked: ‘God helps those who help themselves!’

Learning to call on God for help is perhaps the greatest lesson I have had to learn as a disciple of the Lord Jesus. I once heard a well-known speaker teach on ‘praying without ceasing’, and she described it as being ready with ´telegrams to heaven’, all day, in every situation. The truth is, there is an endless supply of divine help available, but it requires the humility of the admission that without Him I can do nothing and all I do in my own strength is like dust in the wind.

So – every time I look out at these mountains, I take a deep breath and with all my heart I send a telegram to heaven, “Help Lord!!”