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I read an article recently in a biography of a world-famous mountain climber, who spent the latter part of his life speaking Christian messages to youth groups around the world. The above text was always chosen by him as it related to his life as a mountain climber. He recorded in his early days that he was invited by a group of friends, all amateurs, to climb the Alps in a certain place. It was a good day’s climb from the bottom to the top, but halfway up was a popular Rest House, which could be reached by lunch time. He noticed that as they reached the Rest House and felt the warmth of the fire, smelt the good cooking and warm coffee many in the party, including himself, said to the keen ones in the group that they will wait there in the comfort while you go to the top and when you come back, we will go back down to the base together. A happy afternoon was spent sitting round the fire, playing the piano and singing mountain climbing songs until the sun began to set. He noted that something began to change their feelings, and they all went outside to look through the binoculars up to the top of the mountain to see their friends reach the top and wave flags for joy. He then realised that he had settled for second best because comfort caused him to lose sight of his purpose. From that day on, whenever he undertook a challenge, he did not let comfort get in the way but endured the hardships that earned him the prizes associated with those challenges.

This taught him the meaning of the text as it relates to our spiritual eternal life and he urged all never to settle for second best, never to hide in those sheltered places in our lives, never to retreat from life’s battles and temptations, never become discouraged but add to the above text the words of Joshua 23-8. “But cleave unto the Lord your God, as you have done unto this day”.

He always finished his message with the words “Just keep climbing and you will receive the reward”.