Hello ,

In an astonishing story from Japan, a 27-year-old Chinese student had to be rescued twice from Mount Fuji in just four days. The first time, he was saved from harsh, off-season conditions that could have taken his life. But shortly after, he realized he had left behind personal items—including his phone—and made the fateful decision to return. Despite the danger and his recent rescue, he climbed again and had to be saved a second time, suffering from altitude sickness when found.

This story, while unusual, illustrates something deeply human and spiritually significant: our tendency to return to dangerous places we've already been rescued from.

Proverbs 26:11 gives us this piercing image: “As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.” 

It's vivid, even unsettling, but it tells a necessary truth. Too often, we go back to things God has already freed us from—habits, relationships, mindsets, or sins—because we’ve left something behind we think we still need.

The student went back up Mount Fuji for his phone, but what he truly risked was his life. Similarly, when we return to old patterns, we may think we're retrieving something small—control, pleasure, familiarity—but the real cost is far greater: our peace, our progress, our intimacy with God.

In Scripture, we see this pattern repeated:

Lot’s wife looked back at Sodom and became a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26).

The Israelites longed for Egypt, saying, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt!... We sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted.” (Exodus 16:3), forgetting the slavery they’d escaped.

Peter, after Jesus’ death, returned to fishing—until the risen Christ called him back to purpose (John 21).

When God rescues us, it's never random—it’s intentional. His grace isn’t a revolving door to our old life, but a pathway into something new and far better.

Are these questions worth your consideration?:

• What is your “Mount Fuji”—something God rescued you from that still tempts you to return?
• Are you chasing something you feel you left behind, even at the risk of your spiritual well-being?
• How might God be inviting you to trust Him to restore or replace what was lost?

We all struggle with temptation. As the Scriptures plainly tell us, there's nothing new under the sun. How can we bring more of Christ's power into our lives.  These thoughts may draw us closer to making definite decisions about the paths that we sometimes stumble upon, and how we can rely on God more fully.

Have a great day and God bless!

Pastor Mike / The Open Word