What’s Your Everest? August 5, 2007

Mount Everest! It’s gorgeous! It’s MASSIVE! And in an attempt to conquer such a mountain, you may face death! Anyone who has ever climbed this mountain has been forever changed. The planning is long, the training is hard, and the cost is unbelievable (anywhere from 25 to 60 THOUSAND dollars). You have to be in shape, take courses on equipment, technique, routes and survival. You have to spend two to three years taking regular climbs at high altitude to prepare yourself. You have to go to the doctor to make sure that your arteries and veins are in great shape to withstand the climb. eHow.com describes Everest in this way…

“It can vanquish those who disrespect it, and mercilessly test those who honor it. Yet Everest is indifferent to your presence. Climb it and you will receive a lifetime dose of humility and exhilaration.”

So why am I writing about Everest? Am I planning on taking a climb and am writing to ask for donations? Ummm… let me think… NO! But in relation to a sermon that I heard, it was the only mountain that I felt even came close in comparison.A while back, I heard a sermon on Caleb, one of the spies sent out by Moses to scout out the Promised Land. In the land there was this mountain. The story is found in Joshua 14 where Caleb goes to Joshua and asks for what is rightfully his in the inheritance. Apparently the Israelites had conquered the entire land EXCEPT this mountain. It was scary, there were mighty and fierce warriors embedded in the mountain, waiting to demolish anyone who threatened their territory. Caleb, though he was 85 years old, wants that mountain. Why? Because…

“I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.” (Joshua 14:11-12)

He knew the Lord’s promise was true and he faithfully followed Him. This task was insurmountable and I can’t help but think that the younger warriors standing there maybe thought he was a fool for taking on this mission. So he goes, he conquers, and then sends out men to conquer more! He didn’t just stop with the mountain and call it good, he really took the Lord at his word and went above and beyond!

Now how about us? I was at Bair Lake Bible Camp this summer and I experienced something that I had never experienced before. Christianity lived out in mass quantity. I’m not saying that my church is not full of Christians living out the Christian life, but this was different. At home I am in a community that is quick to judge, easily offended, and rather vengeful. At Bair Lake, I saw potential for disaster in an atmosphere where not everything is perfect and you expect squabbles between workers because we live together for weeks! Even with the potential being there, above all things there was love. There was a humbleness. We all knew that we were not perfect, and therefore never belittled someone else or ragged on them mercilessly because of their mistake. It really felt like we were all in it together. I felt uplifted, encouraged, and loved.

During my quiet time one day I realized my current mission field was home. I am not afraid to leave home or even leave the United States, but I really feel that God has a mission for me right now, where I am. To bring that atmosphere to Indian River. Even a glimpse can attract a crowd. I can’t help but wonder if that isn’t the kind of atmosphere that Jesus provided, and therefore people flocked to see Him and experience the unconditional love that we are commanded to show.

So what’s your Everest? It’s different for everyone… God promises to be faithful to those who seek after Him. If it’s His will… we can’t lose!!! Victory is already ours, if only we will claim it. So what’s it gonna be? Will we be a Caleb? Or the snotty young warriors snickering at a faith that can conquer mountains?

“…the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.”

The All Consuming Element… August 5, 2007

Fire. It destroys thousands of acres each year, it takes countless homes and lives, it is a force not to be reckoned with. Though it is not always a bad thing as we use it for cooking, heating, and sometimes as soothing light in a relaxing bubble bath or a romantic dinner for a loved one.

Whether it is destroying or aiding everyday life, nonetheless it is an incredibly beautiful element of nature. I love fire! I am not a pyro or anything, but there is something about watching a campfire that intrigues me. To watch it dance as it consumes the logs and lights them up like some sort of giant fire fly, it’s just amazing!

So this summer as I went to camp, I sat looking at the fire one night, I thought of how fire is so much like the Christian life. As I continued to ponder the parallel, I realized that so often I use the term “on fire for Christ”. Searching my heart for the true definition, I came to this conclusion:

Fire = our passion for Christ

In order for my fire to grow for Him, I have to feed the fire. How do I do that? I throw all my junk into it! My past, my struggles, my anger, all of it! It all has to go! The more I throw to the fire, the more I see Christ work in my life. I care less what others think and only live to please my Lord.

Yesterday I wrote a letter. It was to someone who abused me several times while I was a young girl. As I wrote I wept, bitterly and angrily. Oh I had not realized the baggage that I still carried! When I got home, I wadded up that letter and grabbed the lighter. I marched right to the burn barrel and lit’er up! As I watched it burn, I was reminded of this object lesson that had come to mind at camp.

The more that I throw to the fire, the more Christ consumes my life and the greater my passion for Him becomes. The real test is when will we make the choice to feed the fire? Allowing Christ to work in us only happens when we allow Him into ALL parts of our lives. Even the parts that we THINK we’ve left behind or shoved away. I used to think that the only ones who were strong in Christ were those who had perfect Christian homes and tons of opportunity and nurturing. I now know that even though they may SEEM perfect, they too have to feed the fire and they have plenty of junk to do so.

So my challenge to you is this: will you feed the fire?

2 Corinthians 12:8-10:

“Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”