Because It Is There

The succinct and most famous quote from Mt. Everest expeditions is from George Mallory (1886-1924), as he answered the question, “Why do you want to climb Mt. Everest?” He replied, “Because it is there”. George Mallory initiated the ultimate quest of standing atop the summit of Mt. Everest in the first expedition in 1922. From that first utter failure of inadequate equipment, sickness, exhaustion, bad weather, and limited food and supplies to the present day, with all our high-tech gear the call to reach the highest point on our planet is the alluring sirens song that entraps the adventurer to risk everything for the sake of, “because it is there”.

Mt. Everest Facts:
Elevation: 29,035 ft., commercial airlines cruise at 30-35,000 ft., Mt. Hood is 11,249 ft.
Location: Himalayan Mountain Range, the summit ridge separates Nepal and Tibet.
First Summit: May 29,1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay
Youngest & Oldest to Summit: 15 and the oldest 64
Dangerous: Death is common, Worst year: 1996, 98 summitted, 16 died, about 120 corpses still on the mountain.

Every year hundreds of mountain climbers and adventurers make the trek to the base of Mt. Everest in the stark boulder, ice and snow landscape. They gaze up to the peaks around them as in the courtyard of a fortified castle. Their hearts race in exhilaration at finally being able to attempt their dream of conquering the greatest mountain on earth. They know the facts, they know this is a perilous adventure, they have heard the horrific stories of other climbers and yet it does not dissuade them, but rather compels them even more so to strap on their crampons, grab their ice axe and begin…all “because it is there”.

I am reminded of another adventurer who risked it all for fulfilling a dream. In Jesus Christ’s final week of ministry in Jerusalem, during the week of Passover, the single most significant annual feast and event in Jewish culture, he made his push to the summit. Jesus had been preparing his followers for three years, but his preparation for this moment began before time as we understand it. His quest was filled with obstacles and peril: accusations, pain, disappointment, isolation, frustration, betrayal, and public humiliation to the point of a tortuous death on a crude, wooden cross. He knowingly accepted his fate as he climbed to the summit of human history…the peak of man’s redemption. Why did he do it? Why did God risk it all? A simple reply, “because he first loved us.” John 3:16 succinctly quotes God’s motivation, purpose and plan, “For God so loved the world…” The ultimate quest for humanity was carried on the whipped back of the Son of God, as he shouldered the wooden beam with each step along Jerusalem’s streets; the highest peak of suffering was summitted that fateful day 2000 years ago, as the final words of the Lamb of God, said “It is finished” and took His last breath. Why? To demonstrate His love for humanity and specifically you and me.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8

George Mallory and his climbing partner, Andrew Irvine, never returned from the mountain in their second expedition to the summit in 1924. Mallory’s well preserved body was discovered in 1999 a mere 1,500 ft. from the summit. Evidence suggests that in their descent he fell, his rope cleanly snapped, with Irvine’s body no where to be found, became immobilized and died from exposure. For what was Marlory’s death? “Because it was there” a stark, lifeless peak of granite and ice. For what was Christ’s death? “Because he first loved us” a diverse, beautiful humanity of joy, hope, love and life created in his image.

On The Edge

On the edge of my seat, my stomach is in knots, with the tension and exhilaration of each blurred flash of speed and skill rounding each icy corner. My full attention is on the five short-track speed skaters battling for position with each lap during the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. The Koreans at 125-150 lbs each are the monsters of power and speed on the ice, clinching the first Gold in the 1500m. Our most decorated Winter Olympian Apolo Ohno, however, is the wild-card whose seemingly effortless speed, grace and cunning puts him in contention every time he takes the ice.

If I could only attend one Winter Olympic event, I would choose short-track speed skating hands down. I am captivated by the thrill of racers battling for position, passing each other like commuters on I-205. As they glide through each corner, fingertips skimming the ice, they are on the edge of their razor-sharp blades and of control. One slight bump or misplaced foot and they careen off into the padded barriers like 8-year-olds flying off a merry-go-round from a steroid pumped Dad. It is the Daytona 500 on ice…with blades not Goodyears…and no Chevy’s…or pit crews, RV’s, shirt-less guys named Jr. or Bubba…okay, but you get the point.

Do you ever find yourself where you feel you are living on “the edge”. You might feel like you are the edge of losing control in finances, family, integrity, busyness, activities, work, health, school, etc. If so, you are not alone. I know there have been times when I feel the speed and momentum of life takes me into a slippery corner, and all of the centrifugal forces push against my leaning body, fingertips on the ice, as I hold onto the razor’s edge of my blade. It is at those breathless moments we need the assurance and presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. When we hold the hand of a loved one in ICU, balance our checking account where we only see red, when we are so frustrated, angry, depressed, sullen, or fearful that we become immobilized to action or simply just going through the motions. God is there.

When God is with us we then can take each corner with the confidence and courage of faith, rather than the tenuous uncertainty of fear. Jesus fully understands our struggles where fear creeps into our hearts and minds, and his most common command is to not fear. Over a hundred times, Jesus makes statements including “not be afraid”, “not fear”, “have courage”, “take heart”, or “be of good cheer”. Jesus repeatedly encourages us to live by faith, and not by fear. As you take those corners where life is on “the edge”, Jesus offers us the redirecting question to keep us on the track, confident and full of faith.

“Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?”
- Matthew 8:26

Valentine's Alert!

ATTENTION ALL MEN – Valentine’s Day is only 2 days away! WARNING – Failure to properly prepare for this event may lead to cold shoulders, icy glares, isolation and a sleepless night on the couch. PREVENTION TREATMENT – requires a boat-load-of-cash to purchase any or all of the following: any perfume named after stalkers (Obsession, Desire, Poison, Envy), lingerie – CAUTION – only purchase at highly priced retail stores that claim to have secrets, if purchased at Walmart or Goodwill you will experience nausea and possible head trauma. Jewelry is always a safe bet especially if you REALLY need this day to make up for the past 11 months – the mathematical equation to determine how much you should spend is f(x)=en . Isaac Newton first discovered this formula when he was hit upon the head by a loaf of French bread after forgetting his wife’s birthday. In layman terms, F=you, X= how long you’ve been in the dog house, E = your hopeful outcome, N = is the exponent of how much money you earn in a lifetime working 2 ½ jobs, and there you have it, the exact amount of money you should spend on anything laden with pearls, gold, and diamonds.

For those of you who’s boat-load-of-cash has sunk to the depths of the Pacific Ocean, yes you still have options as well. Roses are always a good idea but could send the wrong message: dark red- passionate love, pink- cutesy love, yellow-friendship love, white-motherly love, purple- uh, just don’t give purple. A card is a necessity, but be careful to set the right tone, “Sweetie, you’ve got more trunk space than a 69 Buick” is only funny when you are reading it to yourself at the Hallmark Store. Honorable mentions are chocolates, candies, and stuffed bears, although overused they could help you slide by this year.

God’s pulling for you this Valentine’s Day. Remember Adam, all by himself in the Garden of Eden, naming animals, snacking on fruit all day, not having to worry about dirty clothes on the floor, toilet seats, or body odor (you would stink too if you ate fruit all day and hung out with animals). God looked upon him with pity and decided to help the poor guy out.

The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Genesis 2:18

After one restless night, there was beautiful Eve. Today, thousands of years later, we men still have God’s pity, “It’s not good for (insert your name) to be alone”, and he gives us our “Eve” who’s beauty is captivating, love is satisfying, and companionship is fulfilling. Valentine’s Day is our opportunity to express our feelings (yes, I know sometimes that’s a big step for some of us) toward the love of our life.

So, guys, I hope these few notes of guidance will help you navigate the land mine fields of Valentine’s Day. After surviving 23 Valentine’s Days with my special Valentine, I’ve only singed my eyebrows, lost a few toes on my right foot, and with the exception of the 1994 Valentine’s Day debacle that nearly took off my left arm, I am still fully functioning. Be brave, be courageous and go out there soldier and make me proud on February 14th.

"The Aint's" No More

This Sunday millions of Americans will gather with family and friends around the biggest HD Television they can find with their favorite foods and drinks, and cheer, cry and even yell during America’s #1 watched televised event, The Super Bowl. I will be one of those crazy fans. This year’s Super Bowl pits the league’s MVP, Peyton Manning and the charging Indianapolis Colts, against the surging New Orleans Saints. The two best teams of the regular season will meet with both having high octane offenses and takeaway defenses. This highly anticipated Superbowl may be the most watched televised event ever. But for one of the teams, to be in the Super Bowl seemed as likely as playing golf on the moon.

For many years the fans of the Saints would sit in their stadium seats with paperbags over their heads, eye holes cut out, with “The Aints” inscribed on it with a black marker. Instead of proudly cheering on their team waving the yellow and black Terrible Towels of the Steelers fans, or wearing foam cheese hats as Packers, they displayed their faithful support, yet with low expectations, by wearing the “Aint’s” paperbags over their heads. The faithful Saints fans endured season after long season of disappointment, losing and being one of the most ridiculed teams the past 30 years. When hurricane Katrina flooded and devastated their city, the damaged Superdome became a temporary refuge for those who lost everything. Those images reinforced this hopelessness, that fate was against them, and despite their best efforts they were doomed to failure, not only as a football team, but now as community. This Sunday they have an opportunity to prove that those days are behind them, and they are the best team in the NFL.

The New Orleans Saints journey reminds me of a promise God gave to the Israelite people in Jerusalem 2,400 years ago. At this time, the Israelites were the remnant from captivity by Persia and returned to live in Jerusalem. With the city’s walls, buildings and majestic Solomon’s Temple destroyed, they were a beaten down, hopeless, and discouraged people. As God spoke through the prophet Haggai, he encouraged them to be faithful and obedient to his will and work....to rebuild the temple and reestablish the sacrifices, celebrations and prayers of Worship to God. After several months they were faithful in beginning the work, but they saw little fruit to their labor in life and in the rebuilding the Temple. That’s when God said things will change:

But from this day on, I will bless you. Haggai 2:19

In our lives, I think we can go through seasons like the Saints and the Israelites that in the midst of being faithful, working hard, striving for success, doing the best that we can…we see only failure, with little fruit to show from our labor. However, I can see in my life that if I am faithful to God’s direction and will for me, and persevere, there will be that watershed moment where God proclaims “But from this day on, I will bless you.” I will enjoy the fruit of faithfulness, not by my hand, rather through the power and mercy of my Father’s hand. It might be in my stewardship of finances, my relationships, my roles as husband, father and friend, or even in service and ministry.

Today, might be that day, when you can pull that old crumpled paper bag off your head, and shed the discouragement of being “Aints”, and proudly wear the jersey of Gold, Purple and White (no, not the Vikings), but the colors representing the highest value, royalty and purity in being on God’s Team in the fullness of His blessing.