He was phenomenal in the woods, but when he took our birch bark and soaked it in water to show us that it would still light, we had about had enough. Not only was it raining but the bark wouldn’t catch the spark. The rest of the evening left us cold and hungry. Seven days seemed forever and when we met up with another team I was sure we had reached the end of our ordeal. That is when we were introduced to the wall. The wall stretched 70 feet into the air flat faced against the mountain. It was sufficiently high that a fall would be deadly.
Safety helmets and gear were supplied. A professional climber gave us instructions. The first couple clamped in and the rest watched as the climber slowly made his way up the wall with barely a handhold to give him support. The second and third climber made their way up the wall and to safety. All looked well until the fourth climber slipped her roped through the belay pin. She climbed no further than ten feet and froze. No amount of encouragement from her friends helped. She was paralyzed with fear. The instructor gently talked with her, but to her persistent pleas he wouldn’t let her come down. Once we started up there wasn’t any turning back. She slipped and fell and the rope stretched under her weight. The instructor spoke softly, reassuring her that he was with her and that if she listened to him she would make it to the top. She cried, pleading with him to let her down.
Minutes turned into hours as we waited for the young lady to move, but her fear kept her clinging to the wall. Finally, the instructor clipped his harness to the rings in the wall and made his way next to her. In muted tones he instilled a little confidence in her and told her to focus on him. “Can I go down?” She cried. “No,” he answered, “but you can let me place your hands and feet where they need to go.” He demonstrated his intention and she accented. The instructor took her hand and placed it on a small ridge. Dropping down he took her foot and guided it to an outcropping. Painstakingly he continued the process until she stood at the top of the mountain weeping for joy. She had done it! The instructor stepped back and let her bask in the victory. Everyone knew that the instructor did all the work, but he didn’t need the praise. It was her time to shine because through it all it was her faith in the instructor that gave her strength to finish the climb.
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25,26.
The greatest wall that we face is death. It could be physical death, emotional loss, the death of a marriage or other family relationships. Any great loss feels like a death and in the darkness, despair edges itself in making the wall look overwhelming. It paralyzes us and we cling against the hard cold stone. It is then that Jesus whispers in our ear, “do you trust me?” He takes our hand and places it on an outcropping and we feel a tinge of hope. Each time Jesus directs your step, the greater your confidence until you pull yourself up and onto flat ground. In your celebration you look to see the one who brought you through, only to find him gone. With your new courage you step, closer to the edge and look over, and there he is, patiently guiding the next soul to the finish line.
By the way, we had to descend too. That’s another story. I’m just saying…
On edge From the Bunker Day 62
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