Lessons from a Climber
My youngest brother, Chris, has become a novice mountain climber. I’m not talking about a day hiker. I’m talking about a climber who climbs to the top of such peaks as Mt. Shasta, Mt Rainier, Mt. Baker in the US and Izta and Orizaba in Mexico. His climb to the top of Orizaba at 18,500 ft. elevation has been his greatest achievement to date. He always goes in a group, which is led by experienced guides. On his excursion to the top of Mt. Rainer one of his guides was Lakpa Rita who is known in the mountaineering world as the “Best Sirdar in Khumbu” and is one of only a few Sherpas working as a fulltime mountain guide around the world. While on this climb, Lakpa Rita gave my brother words to climb to “don’t out walk your wind”.
We have been climbing up our own mountain as we as a nation battle the coronavirus. We have been staying at home for about 3 weeks now. The computer screen has become our best friend. We use it to have work meetings. We go to school on a screen. We even have our friends “over” for dinner through the computer. We only make necessary trips to the grocery store and we wear masks when we go outside. We have done this to help our health care workers and we have done this to keep ourselves and others healthy. We are seeing the benefits of social distancing and it is encouraging. However, I am beginning to sense a feeling of restlessness in me, the media, and conversations with my family and friends.
When my brother is nearing the summit, he too gets restless and he must fight himself to stay steady, to keep to his plan. This is not unlike where we are on our climb. We are beginning to see a glimmer of light and that anticipation that it will get better. We can see the summit. We will need to fight our eagerness to move too quickly. We will need to stay steady, to persevere a little longer so we don’t out walk our wind.
When the climber stands at the base of the mountain and looks to where they are headed, they can be overwhelmed. The climber must look at the mountain and break it down into manageable chunks. We can learn from the climber. We may need to take it one day at a time and as it gets longer and steeper we may need to take it hour by hour. Our climb is long and hard, but we aren’t alone. God is with us every step of the way. Lean on God when the climb gets steep or when you get weary. Take one step in front of the other, breathe deeply letting the Spirit fill you with patience. Keep doing the good and when it’s time we will reach the summit together.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
May you run and not be weary
May you heart be filled with song
And may the love of God continue
To give you hope and keep you strong
And may you run and not be weary
May your life be filled with joy
And may the road you travel always lead you home.
Handt Hanson and Paul Murakami
Marty