A Lesson on Mountain Climbing

By Stephen Walker

Dear friends,

Have you ever climbed a mountain–or felt like you did? Life is constantly giving us challenges. Some people call them problems, or issues, but ultimately it means that life isn’t easy.

A couple weeks ago I climbed a local mountain, Moak-san, along with 5 friends. In that experience, I noticed many parallels–similarities– to the struggle that we all share in overcoming those difficult challenges. May I share them with you?

At the bottom, you have a choice. You could turn around and go home. You must choose to face the challenges in your life. Can you do it? Is it worth it? Please, friend, climb this mountain with me.

As you begin, you are probably tempted to peek at the peak. While it’s good to have a general sense of your direction, don’t expect to see the top in any detail. The twists and turns of the path will probably obscure it, or perhaps the air will be hazy. Even on a good, clear day, the peak looks so small, and almost unreachable. The details are not so easy to see. You have to ascend based on limited information. It’s called, “faith.”

Go up with a team, generally. Don’t try going it alone. Then, exercise some leadership. Encourage your team. Unite your team. Choose the right equipment–good hiking boots, a hiking stick, a compass, and definitely some water, bandages, sunscreen, etc. Dress for the weather. Prepare for success, but also be ready for tough times along the way.

Now you’re ready, so get started! There’s no way to get started without going up. The pack may be heavy, but you’ve got to go up. What are you waiting for–a helicopter? Some people seem to be hoping for some miraculous delivery from some challenge that apparently God wants them to face. No… there’s no cable car or mountain road for this mountain. Be ready for the hard work of hiking. If your heart won’t let you do that, or for whatever reason your legs and arms won’t get you to the top, either set your sights on a smaller mountain, or else find some incredible, creative way to get to the top!

The path to the top will take many twists and turns. Be ready for that. There will be people going slower and faster than you, and people going 180 degrees in the opposite direction. This is a time to be gracious. Be sure to notice the others–strangers–and find opportunities to share God’s love with them, too. The humble woman selling fresh vegetables–you can bless her and she, you. The businessman who climbs the mountain each day to sell his wares–show kindness and respect, and never overlook an opportunity to express God’s generosity.

Some of the others you’ll encounter are members of your own team. Do they have needs that perhaps you’ve overlooked? Be sensitive to them, and be careful not to push them too hard. Everyone has a different limit of what they can handle, and what motivates them. Some respond well to frankness, while others will shy away from honest discussion. Try to be sensing what people are able and ready to accept.

Just as strangers will be going fast or slow, so your own team will naturally ascend at various paces. Give them the freedom they need to go fast or slow, and trust that you’ll reunite later. There MAY be times when you need to all stick together, of course, but for the most part, freedom is best. Humans were meant for freedom. Restriction is a temporary condition, for a specific purpose. The better team members will naturally do the right thing, anyway.

Expect a struggle from the trail itself. The slope may become slippery, with no guardrail. Rocks may not be as firm as they appear, and then slip as you step on them. What appears to be good and safe may turn out to be the most dangerous of all–you have to stay alert, and on your guard, or someone could get hurt.

The steepness may push your physical limits–and with heart thumping, ears popping and every available skin surface pouring out sweat– you may plead, “Aren’t we at the top YET?!” Perhaps you will wonder aloud who created this mountain, and who allowed it to get so high? You know Who. He is fully aware of your struggle. He yearns to share your burden, and to have you learn to trust Him in this. Do not lose heart. Take a short break if you need one, but keep going up.

What if your pack becomes too heavy? Well, maybe it is. You have a few options. You can lighten your load. What is really necessary? Are you carrying baggage that you don’t need to be worrying about? Some of us are carrying around our past hurts, and like anchors they drag us down and try to hold us to one place. Find some responsible way to remove these from your pack. You may need to occasionally check your pack, too, since items like these have a way of reappearing. Somehow, even after we’ve forgiven, they seem to come back and haunt us.

Next, once you’ve pared things down to what is truly good and essential, perhaps a hiking partner is willing to carry your pack for you? People DO care about you, and like our Heavenly Father, they most earnestly desire to help you. Don’t be too proud to allow them this service. You need the help, and they earnestly desire the honor of serving you. You can serve them, too, but not in a pay-back way. It may be better to “pay it forward,” and take encouragement to go serve someone else. If you are constantly trying to “pay back” others for what they do for you, then consider what Jesus has done for you. You’ll never be able to pay Him back, and it would offend Him if you tried. He wants you merely to accept His free gift, as a child accepts food from her parent.

Eventually, if you continue, you WILL reach the top. Realizing the inevitability of God’s will means that you have no reasons to worry. You’ve done your preparation. You’ve gathered your team, and led them well (or been a good follower). You’re continuing to trust God in this endeavor, and rely on Him to provide His perfect will. Therefore you are “off the hook,” in terms of the results. The results are His responsibility. You serve at His good pleasure and at His direction. So don’t worry. Instead, enjoy. Don’t forget to enjoy things, once you reach the peak. Take breaks every so often, even on the way down, to enjoy the beauty around you, and to worship the One who created them.

Stephen Walker is from the Dallas area where he has lived with his wife and two children. He is currently serving as Adjunct Professor at Chonbuk University in Jeonju.