"Reaching the Summit"

“Reaching the Summit”

 

This past November I read High Adventure, Sir Edmund Hillary’s account of his ascent of Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak. Many others had previously attempted to reach the summit without success, but Hillary and his Nepalese companion Tenzing Norgay achieved the goal on May 29, 1953. Since then others have stood “on the top of the world” but Hillary’s and Norgay’s pioneering work blazed the trail and helped make subsequent expeditions triumphant.

Hillary’s book describes the intense effort that resulted in attaining this long-sought-after objective. At one point he said, “My whole body was crying out for rest, but I knew it was just a weak delusion of the flesh that had to be ignored.” He and Norgay were able to overcome the physical, emotional, and natural barriers by keeping their focus on the desired result. But he was quick to acknowledge the contributions of the entire team for this amazing accomplishment—without their support the mission would have failed.

As Hillary and his fellow climbers gave themselves completely to the goal of reaching the summit you and I as God’s people are called to do likewise. The Apostle Paul described his focus in this way: “…One thing I do…I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14). “Press on” is the translation of a classical Greek word used to describe a hunter stalking his prey. We too must “…throw off everything that hinders and…fix our eyes on Jesus….” (Hebrews 12:1-2) if we’re to reach the summit in our lives and service.

It’s easy to get distracted by good things and miss the best God has for us. Jesus never allowed Himself to be sidetracked from His purpose in coming to earth: “I must preach the good news…that is why I was sent.” (Luke 4:43), and just before Calvary He was able to say, “…I have finished the work which you have given me to do.” (John 17:4, NKJV). So He did what He came to do.

D.L. Moody once said, “Give me this one thing I do rather than these fifty I dabble in.” What’s the “one thing” which will take me to the summit of my life and service? That’s where I need and want to invest my energy until God calls me Home.

 

Blessings!

Jim McMillan