Over the past few years, I've been fascinated by the stories of those who've climbed the world's tallest mountains. From those who've reached the top of Everest or K2, to those who've completed the so-called 7 summits, the narratives of their challenges and accomplishments are riveting.
Last week on the radio, I was listening to a guy who is planning to climb Everest next year. He was joined by his Sherpa, Ang Dawa. This was notable because traditionally, climbers in the Himalayas don't meet their guides until they arrive at the base of the climb, and as instrumental as the Sherpas are to success, they usually don't receive the acclaim or publicity of those whom they guide.
I think this is ironic, because it has become universally accepted that climbing the Himalayas without a Sherpa is close to impossible. They are experienced mountaineers with an extensive knowledge of the area, and whose very physiology is adapted to the region. First time climbers don't have the strength, experience, knowledge or lungs to accomplish this feat by themselves.
My mountaineering experience is pretty close to zero. I have climbed the highest mountain in So Cal (see inset of me on Mt. San Gorgonio) at a lofty 14,499', which means that I stood a mere 17,000 vertical feet shy of the summit of Everest. Not so exciting. But I do see the value of the Sherpa. And I realize that in my walk with God, I've had a number of people act as my spiritual Sherpas at various times.
These are people who had a little more time with God, a little more knowledge of His Word, more ministry, more time in prayer and a willingness to help me get a little higher and a bit farther than I'd been before. Dennis, Rick, Craig, Drew and (of course) my Mom and many others have played that role at one time or another, and I owe them a huge debt of gratitude.
Unlike Everest or Denali, however, this climb of christianity doesn't have a summit. At every stage, with each new challenge, we need people who will help us, guide us and shoulder some of our burden. I'm not sure who my next guide will be, but I am actively looking. And I think it's a question that needs to be asked of all of us: Who's your Sherpa?
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2 comments:
My mind quickly connected your illustration to a spiritual journey and I immediately came up with some names. However, by the end of your post I realized that those I follow, my Sherpas, aren’t that close anymore and some are so close that I no longer actively glean from them. It is amazing that I can atrophy in so many areas of life.
Post Script: didn’t I follow you up San G.? I sure hope my next Sherpa has better backpacking equipment for me to borrow… JUST KIDDING!
Whoever fights monsters should see in the process that he himself does not become a monster, and if you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.
We need Jesus even to understand aphorisms.
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