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 expiration date 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, led 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!”
So in 1953, two
climbers, Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Norgay, reached the top of Mount
Everest. Never forget. You will
both outlast and overcome today’s crisis because you serve an infinite God.
Sisters and brothers,
be continually blessed and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO
MEET YOUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!
No comments:
Post a Comment