Rock Climbing for Beginners

I was invited by a friend to do some rock climbing this December. Since I had already done this about two years ago, I thought it would be an easy climb this time around. Boy, was I wrong! I experienced the same crippling fear and doubt and realized again just how controlling I am as a person and how little faith I have in my own legs. The first time I climbed, I made it all the way to the top. I was so thrilled about my little success I even wrote about the experience (below). This year, however, I decided it wasn't worth it to go all the way. That's pretty much how this year has gone: I would get too scared and just give up altogether. But with the new year around the corner, I've decided to reconsider whether it is indeed worth it to go all the way...

The tug of the harness rope pulled me out of my head as the instructor calmly voiced an instruction. “I’ve got you. Keep going.” I had completely forgotten about the rope. All this time, I felt like I was climbing alone, doomed to fall off this big wall and break my legs at the bottom. I was so confident before I started climbing the wall. I was filled with hope, eager to reach the top. But in that moment, I feared failing. “Why is this so much harder now? It was much easier when I started.” Nevertheless, I heeded my instructor’s voice, still shaking. Left leg, right arm, right foot, left hand. My fingers clenched tightly with every grip. My legs heaved me upwards with momentum, and with a final drag of my body, I reached the top. Banging the pole at the top, my lungs released an enormous pump of air. Fear dissipated from my heart, while my friends celebrated my victory with me. Was it worth it in the end?

When it felt like my courage wavered, my hope depleted, my faith collapsed, and my body failed me, somehow, I was still able to reach the top. There are a number of things that happened while I was up on that wall that prevented me from climbing up: I stopped moving, I looked down and I thought I was alone.

Keep going!

How many of you were excited to start something new or achieve something, but along the way, it got scary and you decided to stop pursuing it? Maybe you thought you wouldn’t be as happy if you finally achieved that thing. Maybe you didn’t get the support from others that you were expecting. Perhaps, the circumstances around you pushed against you as you pressed forward. Or the odds were not in your favour. Or maybe you think you’re just not good enough, brave enough, talented enough, or strong enough (the list goes on). Did you lose hope and just stop altogether? Did you stop praying? Do you ask yourself if it’s really worth it? Is the prize worth this kind of effort? Why find out when you can give up right NOW?

My fellow Friend, the road of Christianity is long and difficult. But I realised that it was harder to climb up the wall, when I stopped climbing (that goes without saying). But think about it. It is much harder to move forward, if you aren’t moving at all. The scenery won’t change if you’re standing in the same place. On that wall, my body weighed heavily on my arms because I was not meant to stop. But as soon as I started moving, with each grip upwards, I got closer to the top until I finally reached it. But why did I stop moving? Discouragement and fear. This came as I began to draw from myself for strength, but I despaired when I found none. Fear began to wrap its claws around my heart, draining my hope, while my faith dwindled along with it. Finally, I cried out to the Lord in my heart: God, where do I put my foot? How do I keep going? I can’t see where I should put my foot. Immediately after this, my instructor gave me an instruction, advising my next step. Needless to say, the next step was forward. Or in this case: upwards! Although I pretty much panicked on my way up, trusting and heeding the advice of my instructor helped me press on. Psalm 119:105 puts it this way: Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light on my path (CSB).

When you do not know what to do, what steps to take, how many steps to take or whether you should move at all; just ask God and He’ll tell you. Chances are, He’s already told you. His word says that He is our Shepherd. The Good Shepherd. And He leads us into all truth and into paths of righteousness (Psalm 23). There’s only light in His kingdom. Trust Him! He’s got you. Keep going! One step at a time is progress enough.

Don’t look down!

When you look around in this world, there’s no hope. Sadly, the world we live in is dying. Everywhere you look, sin is running rampant through the streets, decaying everything in its path. Darkness seems to spread over the skies with a glooming cloud announcing inevitable doom. Tears stream down the cracks of many hearts, torn to shreds by the pain experienced in this world. How can you not despair, when you stare death in the face?

I despaired when I looked down at the distance below me. To fall would probably lead to my death or maybe some broken bones. I wanted to cry. I was so close to the top, and yet, my mind could not shake the feeling of falling down. God, where do I put my foot? How do I keep going? I can’t see where I should put my foot.

The Bible tells us to fix our gaze on heavenly things (Read Colossians 3:2-10). Our hope is not here “on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body. If you eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.” (Matthew 6:19-23, CSB). My dear Friend, it matters what you fix your gaze upon! Hope is a treasure that must be guarded because it fuels our faith (Hebrews 11:1). As we journey this road as Christians, it’s important to look up to our God and the reward of His salvation! This is what keeps our faith shining bright.

You are not alone!

Nobody understands what I’m going through. Nobody cares. Nobody gets it. How can they tell me what to do when they are not in my shoes? I know I cannot be the only one who feels this way sometimes. When things don’t go as planned, it’s easy to fall into loneliness and frustration. It’s overwhelming when you feel you cannot ask for help. And it’s even worse when you do ask for help and nobody comes to your rescue. Many times, you just want someone to understand, give you a hug and let you know that everything is under control. Sometimes, when you’re really in a rut, the encouragement from others can make you feel worse and misunderstood. Their good words are well-meaning, but it’s easier said than done. God, where do I put my foot? How do I keep going? I can’t see where I should put my foot…

I really felt alone despite the cheers of my friends while I was up on that wall. I was way up there, while they were way down there. I previously mentioned that I had also forgotten about the harness rope that secured me in case I did slip off the wall. The rope would hold me and I would be swinging back and forth in the air. I would be able to get back to the wall and continue climbing where I left off. I don’t know about you, but that sounds way better than bashing my knee on the ground. As soon as my instructor tugged on the rope, I was reassured that I wouldn’t fall. Isaiah 41:10 says: Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. This is our God!

Friend, it’s important to know who God is. Whenever you can’t feel the “tug of His rope”, remember that He is ever-present and always holding us in His hands. He had us in His hands before we even had form (Psalm 139:16)! Just like a mother cradles her new-born baby, God holds us close to Himself. We are kept safe in His presence (Psalm 91:1). We are constantly under His watch. Even though we dangle in uncertainty, swinging back and forth in the air, He’s right there, HOLDING us. If you want tangible evidence, look around at the people who cheer you on when you’re down. Are you really alone? I tell you, I would not have completed the task if my friends were not holding me up with encouragement. The Lord is so gracious, that He considered you when He saved everyone else to walk this path with you. He does not want you to be alone, but instead, to be in a community that shares in His glorious love, a place where we can hold each other up in God’s truth.

So, is it all worth it? 

Dear Friend, if you want to find out, keep going, don’t look down and remember that the LORD your God is with you, wherever you go (Joshua 1:9). You’ll only know when you reach the top.

Have a blessed day! 

12 December 2022