Three Things For When You Find Yourself Between A Rock and A Hard Place
I looked through the stationary viewfinder conveniently placed right along the narrow trail. Cautious, so as to prevent my own foot from slipping off the edge of the mountain, I wondered if there was wildlife on the jagged rock opposite the canyon. Instead two figures surprisingly came into view; one woman and one man, harnessed by rope and commitment, were making their way up the precipitous peak.
Mere dots of color, I had to blink a few times to take in what I witnessed next. On the face of a rock, adjacent to the climbing couple, dangling hundreds of feet in mid-air, were two other courageous climbers. Already feeling uneasy about my own position along the narrow path, I could hardly stomach what it must feel like to be in their shoes. After a few minutes, I felt my gaze drift back to the trail ahead, my heart grateful for the solid ground below me.
Eldorado Canyon State Park, Colorado
Evidently the Eldorado Canyon State Park in Colorado invites rock climbers from all over the world to climb it’s majestic peaks stretching seven hundred feet high. Intrigued by the climbers we observed that day, my family decided it would be fascinating to watch documentaries about two of the greatest climbers in recent history: Alex Honnold of Free Solo and Tommy Caldwell of The Dawn Wall. For years, these men allowed camera crews to observe their individual mental and physical routines in preparation for these record-breaking climbs.
To watch their journeys unfold, their determination strengthen, and their physical prowess evolve was nothing short of astonishing. But for each of them, the day came when it was time to climb. Their preparation was extensive, and after multiple attempts and years of practice runs, each of them individually embarked on their dream to conquer El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. I won’t spoil the ending for you, but you do need to realize what was at stake for each of them. Free Solo is all about Alex attempting to climb El Capitan without any ropes whatsoever. Just let that sink in a minute. And for Tommy, he was attempting to climb up El Capitan in a way that no one else had even thought of before.
As I thought about your journey through life and mine, there were countless analogies that kept jumping out at me while my eyes stayed glued to the screen, but these three truths have stayed on the forefront of my mind.
Any climb takes an enormous amount of preparation, so develop disciplines that keep you on course.
I developed great respect for the methods these men utilized in order to remain committed to their goals: new eating regimens, sleep routines, and exercise disciplines. Each of them walked through personal obstacles and trauma, and knew that to conquer this mountain in their unique way, it required discipline.
We each have a mountain to climb. There are peaks and there are valleys, but no two routes are the same to the top. Developing spiritual disciplines of self-control, pursuing time in the Word of God, and remaining steadfast in prayer are necessary for us to navigate the terrain well. If we are not making time to get to know this God we say we believe in, then we will not be prepared to trust Him on the next climb.
So, today, make a plan to develop discipline in your life. Go to bed earlier. Open the Word of God. Pursue like-minded community. Live with open hands to love and serve. Exhibit self-control. Be intentional to steward well the gifts in your life. Do all of this for the glory of God, for He is the one who will use your feeble attempts and second chances, and turns them into something beautiful by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Nothing is more detrimental to reaching the highest peak, than a smooth surface, so stop hoping for an easier life.
It became clear in watching these young men scale cliffs like monkeys climbing trees, that nothing was worse for a climber than a smooth rock. Time and time again, one would try to scale a smooth section, but because there was nothing to grab onto, they slid off relying on the rope to tether them to safety.
I immediately felt convicted at how often I pray for a smoother life, thinking that an easier, well-cushioned path is better. The way of Jesus to the cross wasn’t smooth. The prayers of faith by a barren Sarah pointed to a less than smooth journey. The wandering in the wilderness by Moses wasn’t a smooth process of trusting God for their next move, and yet obedience led them forward each day.
It’s along the rough patches, the seemingly impossible trails, and heartbreaking realities of this life that draw us nearer to the One who is our only hope in life and in death. So, today, let’s stop striving for an easier life and begin to see our one broken life in a new way.
We are meant to go higher than we think is possible, but we must utilize the cracks and imperfections to get there.
In The Dawn Wall, I listened as Tommy Caldwell explained a few basics of climbing for us ‘dummies’. He vividly explained that the key to climbing is to take note of the slightest imperfections and cracks along the journey, because those would be the key to escalate him to the next height.
It led me to think about the way I view the cracks in my own life, in my own faith. Areas that are rough and protruding, rubbing others the wrong way, or just unpleasant to experience. It’s those very imperfections that God uses the most in our lives to bring us closer to Him. Our local pastor says often, “Your greatest mess is your greatest ministry.” Let’s remind each other to stop feeling ashamed of our weakness and instead remember it’s necessary for us to identify them and use them in order to climb higher.
“Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave 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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 ESV
So, friends, the next time you find yourself between a rock and a hard place, remind yourself that it’s part of the climb. In fact, there would be no worthwhile journey without the challenges. There would be nothing to cause your eyes to lift in longing for something greater. There would be no one to cry out to as the Guide. And, there is a Guide; He is loving and merciful, and He knows the way.
Keep on climbing friends to where God is leading you. I’m right there with you every step of the way.
[Note to Parents: The Dawn Wall is an inspiring and fascinating story, but contains language and part of his personal story contains some violence and hard-to-watch scenes. With a little bit of censoring older children and teens should be fine. For Free Solo, watch it on Disney+ to view a kid-friendly version of this incredible climb.]