“The mountain has left me feeling renewed, more content and positive
than I’ve been for weeks, as if something has been given back after a
long absence, as if my eyes have opened once again. For this time at
least, I’ve let myself be rooted in the unshakable sanity of the
senses, spared my mind the burden of too much thinking, turned myself
outward to experience the world and inward to savor the pleasures it
has given me.” – Richard Nelson, The Island Within
This last week, I trekked the Himalayas. For six days, my goal was to
reach Annapurna Base Camp. I made it as far as three hours away, and
the snow was too much. I had already been hiking in a pretty intense
snowstorm for two days, and the altitude prevented me sleep the night
before and took away my appetite for the last two days. It was a
heartbreaking moment: nearly reaching the top and being forced to turn
around because of weather. It took me a solid and mentally challenging
hour to appreciate getting this far. I began to look around me and was
in awe of the beauty before me, and in-fact quite far below me as
well.
There is something about the mountain that brings conviction.
Especially when you are on top of one. It brings a physical
conviction. You begin to radiate with confidence that your body can
actually take the extreme weather and challenge of climbing; or leak
out what is the invented energy you cooked up at the start.
It also brings a spiritual conviction. You begin to realize that this
astounding environment starts to promote deep, intellectual judgement.
Not necessarily bad judgement, but perspective nonetheless. For me, my
mountain conviction always comes as a concentration on the Lord and
where He is taking me.
The World Race ends in three months. This is my last short-term
adventure. I’m not made for temporary Kingdom growing. I’m created for
indefinite Kingdom building. That’s what is next. Forever. Somewhere.
