Dam Climbers

At the Cingino Dam in Italy, there is something unusual and incredible. There are dam climbers. These rock climbers are alpine ibex.

The reason they climb the dam is because their body craves salt. And the rocks on the top of the dam are rich in salt. So, the ibex rock climbs the dam to lick the rocks. Although it is very dangerous to climb the dam, their need for salt outweighs the danger. 

This reminds me of what Habakkuk said. "The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places."(Habakkuk v3:19)

The Cingino Dam looks impossible to climb. And things in our life can also seem impossible to handle. They can seem too steep. Too much to handle. Too hard. Impossible. 

Maybe it's a fiery trial. Or maybe it's responsibilities or a job that God gives us to do. Maybe just surviving each day seems too hard.

But when God is who we rely on for help, we can do amazing things. When God is our strength, He will enable us to walk on high places. He will enable us to go through the deep waters and come out better for it. He will give us the strength to obey Him and follow His leading.

The ibex need that salt for their bodies to function properly. The only way for them to get it is by climbing up. Just like they have a need for salt, we have a need for God. We need God to function the way we were intended. God is the only One who can truly satisfy the human heart.

Trials and the other things that seem too hard for us are what can push us up closer to God. Because without God's help, they're too steep. But when we know something is too hard for us and we depend on God for help, He can enable us just like He enables those ibex. Then all the credit is His. And then those trials and responsibities become blessings.

When a mother ibex climbs the dam, her kid will follow because they have a very strong bond. If your child follows your example, where will they go? Will they be led to the One who can satisfy their deepest cravings?