BECAUSE HE’S THERE

by | Mar 9, 2023 | 2013 | 0 comments

I’m a confirmed travelogue addict, and find myself glued to the television when fascinating, far-away places are featured.

The relentless snow and ice of areas like Antarctica, Mount Everest, the Alps, the Andes, Greenland, Iceland, Lapland etc, are especially intriguing.  As I stretch out comfortably in my armchair, I can almost feel the snow crunching under my boots and the weight of a rucksack on my back, as I plod on higher and higher.

I clearly remember watching a particular program  a few years ago which carried a lesson and a message to me personally, which I hope I will never forget. This featured a group of about 12 young South Africans who journeyed to the Andes, intent on reaching the summit of the highest peak.

High expectations

They all started out with great enthusiasm, and the camaraderie was infectious. Not surprisingly there were more young men than women, but all had high expectations of making it to the top. The first part of the climb was not too demanding, and they all managed to ascend the gentle slopes without too much strain.

A bit later, however, relationship problems emerged. This was sometimes due to each one’s unique perception of who had to do what, and how it should be done. Attitudes hardened, arguments developed, and opposing groups formed. Soon the unresolved problems led to withdrawal, and weariness set in. As the slopes gave way to rock face and the oxygen in the atmosphere diminished, ambition to reach the top sank lower and lower.

When the entire party was not too far from the summit, all but two of them decided to return to  base camp. Though they were almost there, the vision was lost, and physical comfort and relief seemed to be the only thing worth pursuing. The two who kept going, a boy and a girl who earlier on had not even looked like winners, made it to the top. They hugged each other in delight at having achieved what they set out to do. To be fair to those who turned back, some of them were in fairly poor physical shape, but even so they missed out on an amazing experience. So near yet so far!

We have to be serious

Searching the internet for a bit of mountaineering information  convinced me you need a fair amount of time and money, as well as physical fitness and the correct equipment. Shoes were especially important, as well as the right kind of jacket, rucksack and sleeping bag. If you were not a serious mountaineer, you would be put off by the hassle and expense.

Whenever we are called into Christ’s service, we have to be serious about taking up the challenge.We also need the correct spiritual equipment  for our climb to the Kingdom. Here too, we need the correct shoes, (preparation of the gospel), headgear (the helmet of salvation), protective clothing (shield of faith) and a few other items of spiritual armour.

Often, though not in all cases, God allows us to get into shape by walking up fairly gentle slopes. He intervenes in our lives, answers our prayers, removes some obstacles out of our way, sees us through trials and holds our hands as we move on to higher ground.

Sometimes we get to a plateau, a level stretch of ground, and get to a comfortable cruise. But we’re not there yet, and suddenly, right in front of us is an enormous peak, forbidding and daunting, with not a foothold or hand-hold in sight.  What now? This is where teamwork is vital.

Sometimes the difference between life and death on the rock face is simply holding on while the rest of the team pulls you to safety. Unity of purpose and cooperation are vital in any rescue operation. Climbing a mountain alone is as risky as being a lone Christian. We need the support and assistance of fellow travellers, whether on the mountain path or the road to Emmaus.

Because He’s there

George Mallory, who attempted to climb Mount Everest in 1924, when asked why he wanted to do so, uttered those now famous words: “Because it’s there.”

What he probably meant was, “I can’t let even the highest peak in the world beat me.”  He had to prove he could make it.

But why do we want to finish the Christian race?  Because He’s there – waiting for us at the summit and longing to give us that final hug of recognition. It’s not about proving our ability. Jesus has already reached the summit of Golgotha with his cross. We are assured that we can do all things through him (Ephesians 4:13). It’s about God calling us into his service, and promising rewards which we can’t even begin to imagine.

Hazards

There are two kinds of hazards which mountaineers face.

Objective hazards are such things as rock falls, avalanches, and inclement weather. There is nothing the climber can do to influence these conditions.  They are outside his control and not of his own making. He simply has to rely on his good equipment, physical energy and know-how.  

It is all too true that “bad things happen to good people,” and mostly, we can’t prevent such things. But even if we get stopped in our tracks, we can be sure our Saviour will not leave us there. As the Good Shepherd, he never fails to search for lost sheep. So we need never be in the position of the lone mountaineer. He has promised never to leave nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

Subjective hazards can be such things as equipment failure or fatigue. These are things the mountaineer can avoid by paying special attention to health, taking sufficient rest, and making sure his climbing gear is in tip top condition. So also, we can keep spiritually fit and take care with our personal health and safety and manage our finances wisely.

But we know that all the precautions in the world will not prevent the objective hazards which are part and parcel of this present evil world. But it will not always be like that. Probably we cannot begin to imagine what a restored world will be like. When Jesus says all things, he really means everything – things we can imagine and things we cannot even dream of.

It’s worth climbing for, worth striving for and worth waiting for. See you there! 

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