How to Climb Mount Everest!

Recently, I attended a chiropractic seminar with my husband. The speaker one night was Dr. Tim Warren, who climbed Mount Everest reaching the summit. His talk and slide show were captivating, and his conclusion was a quote by one of the guides (called "sherpas") who helped lead Dr. Tim and his group up to the summit.

"If you are facing in the right direction,

keep putting one foot in front of the other."

- Phinjo Sherpa

I just love that quote. So often, we hear motivational quotes regarding the importance of putting one foot in front of the other:

Keep on keepin' on.

When the going gets tough, the tough get going.

Don't watch the clock. Do what it does...

keep going. - Sam Levenson

When you come to the end of your rope,

tie a knot and hang on. - Franklin D. Roosevelt

Consider the postage stamp:

its usefulness consists in the ability to

stick to one thing till it gets there. - Josh Billings

But, what all these quotes lack is the importance of facing the right direction. Frequently, we're running a race that is just spinning our wheels, or worse - taking us in the wrong direction - away from the plan God has for us. Jonah put his feet, one in front of the other, but in the wrong direction! Same for Elijah, Jacob, Moses, David, need I go on?

Sometimes, we are trying to reach the mountaintop in our own strength like the Galatians: Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Galatians 3:3

To reach our goal, we must follow the wisdom Paul shared with the Philippians: Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers [and sisters], I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Phil. 3:12-14

Our goal is not necessarily the finish line. Peter assures us that we can receive our goal today whether we see it or not. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9

Climbing Mt. Everest was no easy task. Dr. Warren could not always see his finish line. The journey required a considerable amount of effort, money, time, and committment.

Walking with the Lord is a committment as well, but we have the best Guide ever! He will lead us into all truth, set us in the right direction, strengthen us to keep putting our feet one in front of the other, enable us to scale heights unknown.

Susan