“And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us …” — Hebrews 12:1b

Still Climbing

Few experiences match the challenge and exhilaration of mountain climbing. Those who participate in this exercise of endurance and skill like to compare peaks and share experiences. When European climbers get together to swap stories, they often tell of passing a certain grave along the trail to a famous peak. On the marker is a man’s name and this inscription: “He died climbing.”

That might be a rather daunting image, but to the person who is challenged by the call of a high peak, it can serve as a reminder of the mission.

To me, mountain climbing is a picture of the life of faith. Throughout our lives we must continue moving upward — learning more about God, growing in our relationship with Christ, becoming stronger in our battle with temptation, pushing ahead in telling the lost about Christ. The skilled mountain climber, just as does the dedicated follower of Christ, presses forward despite the obstacles or the dangers.

The author of Hebrews put it this way: “Let us run with perseverance,” or more commonly, “to the end.”

Need an example? Think of Joshua in the Old Testament. He was just such a man of God. His “climb” began in Egypt and ended in the Promised Land. He won great battles. We are told that “Israel served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua …” (Joshua 24:31). At the close of his life, Joshua was still urging Israel to serve God faithfully (v. 23).

Lord Jesus, help us to serve You faithfully. May we still be climbing to the very end.

— Dave Egner