Keep Climbing

October 22, 2012

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

Life is filled with challenges but it’s how you deal with them that determines your future. God has called you to something bigger than mere survival. You are made in God’s image, designed for creativity and advancement.

Authors Dr. Paul G. Stoltz and Erik Weihenmayer make an interesting point in their book “The Adversity Advantage.” In life there are three different types of people: quitters, campers, and climbers. When things get tough, quitters give up and stop advancing. Campers work hard, reach a certain level, and then settle down in mediocrity. Climbers are that rare breed of people who continue to grow, learn, and move forward all their lives.

For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. 2 Chronicles 16:9a

Pressing on isn’t something that can be done in your own strength. God wants to strongly support you. “For it is God Himself whose power creates within you the desire to do His gracious will and also brings about the accomplishment of the desire” (Philippians 2:13 WEY). He has called you to keep climbing, to keep fighting the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12). He will equip you for the journey (Hebrews 13:20-21).

Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14

God can do a lot in the life of a person who will just cooperate with Him. Shake off the temptation to quit or to camp halfway up the rugged mountain. Make mediocrity your enemy. Be a lifelong climber. Give God an inch and He’ll take a mile! Give Him a thimble full of devotion and He’ll respond to you with an ocean of love.

Press on,
Pastor Jeff

Copyright © 2012 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Paul Stoltz PhD and Erik Weihenmayer, The Adversity Advantage. New York: Fireside, 2006. Weymouth New Testament in Modern Speech. Third Edition 1913. Public Domain.