G. Campbell Morgan was one of the great English preachers and a powerful man of God. As a young seminary student he fell in love with a certain young woman. He was reluctant to propose. He said, "I think God has laid it on my heart to say some radical things to the church. I may not be a success, I may be persecuted. I don't want to drag you into that. In five or six years, perhaps I'll be established, and then I can offer you my hand in marriage." Her immediate reply was, "If I can't climb the mountain with you, I'd be ashamed to meet you at the top."

That says it, but I would adapt the young woman's words for us this morning. If we don't climb the mountain together with courage and perseverance, there will be no meeting at the top.