Keep Climbing

On this day in history, May 29, 1953, Edmund Hillary became the first man to climb Mount Everest.

Along with Tenzing Norgay, a Sherpa of Nepal, the British expedition become the first known explorers to reach the Everest summit, which at 29,035 feet above sea level is the highest point on earth.

Hillary was knighted for his efforts. He even made American Express credit card commercials because of it. However, when you read his book, High Adventure, you realize that Hillary had to grow into this success.

In 1952 Hillary attempted to climb Mount Everest, but failed. A few weeks later, a group in England asked him to address its members. Hillary walked on stage to a thunderous applause. He then moved away from the microphone and walked to the edge of the platform. He made a fist and pointed to a picture of the mountain on the screen. Then in a loud voice, he bellowed, “Mount Everest, you beat me the first time, but I’ll beat you the next time because you’ve grown all you are going to grow, but I’m still growing!”

Hillary’s point was simple and obvious. The obstacle and challenge of Mt. Everest would remain the same. But he had the ability to improve, to learn, to get better, stronger, smarter–to grow.

Growth is essential to success in life. This is true physically, mentally and emotionally. It’s often demonstrated in the sports world when athletes bounce back from failure to win a championship. Inventors almost always have several failures before they achieve success. Thomas Edison didn’t invent the light bulb on the first attempt. However, he’s famously quoted saying he didn’t fail, he just found “10,000 ways that won’t work”.

This principle is also true spiritually. God wants us to grow (1 Pet. 2:1) God wants the church to grow (Eph. 4:15-16). And He commands us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18). However, the choice is ours to make. We can become self-satisfied with where we are. We can make excuses for our lack of growth. Quit in the face of failure. Or keep moving forward.

Like all of life’s endeavors, growth is not a straight up progression without any obstacles. It’s filled with twists and turns, failures and setbacks, highs and lows. And sometimes heart breaking disappointments. Yet, we must continue the climb upward if we want to please God and reach the heavenly goal.

Think of so many of God’s greats who experienced setbacks, discouragements, and even moral failures.

• Abraham lied.
• Jacob deceived.
• Joseph languished in prison.
• Moses was a murderer and fugitive.
• David committed adultery.
• Samson lusted and lost his strength.
• Elijah fled in fear following a great victory.
• Jonah ran from God’s command.
• Peter denied Jesus.
• Thomas doubted.
• Saul persecuted Christians prior to his conversion,
• The apostle Paul suffered a “thorn in the flesh.”
• John was banished in exile to the isle of Patmos.

Yet, each of these found a way to overcome whatever obstacle they faced or weakness they suffered. To keep trying. To begin again. To keep on climbing. To even use the setback to make them stronger.

These Scriptural narratives when studied in their entirety remind us that failure, problems, and setbacks don’t disqualify us from faithfulness. Indeed “God’s grace is greater than all of our sin.” His mercy is forever lasting. His love is unconquerable and invincible. And His patience is lonsuffering.

Through God’s redemptive purpose in Christ Jesus we can continue the climb. We can progress in our spiritual growth. We can press on toward the prize.

Following his successful climb to the top of Everest an interviewer asked Sir Edmund Hillary why he was so passionate about mountain climbing. Reflecting for a moment Hillary offered this insightful reply. “It’s not the mountains we conquer, but ourselves.”

Don’t give up. Don’t give in. Don’t give out.

Keep climbing.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman