PROBLEMS
WILL CEASE – YOU WILL CONTINUE
An old gospel song
contains simple but powerful lyrics: “I’m so glad that trouble don’t last
always.” Although its grammar might be incorrect, its theological message
is right on target. Be encouraged, my friend, for there is a definite
ending point for your current challenges.
Widely recognized
as the tallest mountain in the world, Mount Everest rises 29,035 feet (8,850
meters) above sea level. In the early 1920’s, the famed mountain climber,
George Mallory, launched a number of attempts to scale Mount Everest. In
his third and final attempt (1924), Mallory died climbing the mountain.
Before that fatal attempt, he announced “I can’t see myself coming down
defeated.”
Mallory was an
extraordinary climber, and nothing would force him to give up. His body was
found in 1999, well preserved by the snow and ice, 27,000 feet up the mountain,
just 2,000 feet from the peak. Give up he did not. His body was found
face down on the rocky slope, head toward the summit. His arms were
extended high over his head. His toes were pointed into the mountain; his
fingers dug into the rock, refusing to let go even as he drew his last breath.
Those who
maintained Mallory’s base camp farther down the mountain soon returned to
England and a banquet was held in Mallory’s honor. A huge picture of
Mount Everest stood behind the head table. When the leader of the group
stood to be applauded, with tears streaming down his face, he turned and gazed
defiantly at the picture. “I speak to you, Mount Everest, in the name of
all brave men living, dead and unborn. Mount Everest, you defeated us
once; you defeated us twice; you defeated us three times. But Mount Everest,
we shall someday defeat you. YOU
CANNOT GET ANY BIGGER; BUT WE CAN.”
In 1953 two
climbers, Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Norgay, reached the top of Mount
Everest. My friend, never forget that today’s crisis has a finite shelf
life. You will outlast and overcome because you serve an infinite, mighty
and loving God.
No comments:
Post a Comment