Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Summit



Summit, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.
Over the last week or so, I have been in some interesting dialogues with people about radical life dreams, goals, and things of that nature. On three different occasions, Mount Everest was brought up. I even watched the movie Into Thin Air about an Everest disaster while at my parents Thanksgiving weekend.

A couple of years ago, my dad and I hiked to the top of Seneca Rocks, and took this picture. The same summer, my brother hiked to the top of Mount Whitney, and is trying to persuade me to join him on a possible trip next summer.

What is it about these places that draw us to them? What makes us want to climb Everest? I recently saw this link on a friend's blog, and thought you might enjoy it too.

I believe there are several reasons. One reason is the challenge. Nobody, in their heart of hearts, is truly content with mediocrity. We enjoy pushing our bodies, our minds, and our spirits to their limits. In fact, truth be told, it is in those moments that we probably feel most alive. Maybe it is adrenaline, but I think there is something beyond that.

I believe we climb to these summits to experience God in His transcendence. When we look from Everest or another summit, we get a more robust understanding of the grandness of God. All of creation points us to the magnificent glory of God, if we just take the time to soak it in.

What are the summits you are seeking to experience more of God's supremacy in your life?

2 comments:

Cameron Lawrence said...

I wonder if hiking to the summit of a mountain is about perspective. What I mean is that, at the mountain's top, I'm removed from my life for a short while -- and usually it's a much-needed break. Maybe sometimes we just get too close to everything to really see things for what they really are and hiking gives us the distance we need.

Unknown said...

Good thoughts Cameron.

I like the thought of perspective too. Our problems are much smaller when we put some distance between us and them. Also our lives become much more simple when we are journeying to the summit. The goal is more straightforward, and it is at times easier to eliminate some of the distractions that we come in contact with in the daily grind.