There I found myself just 20 feet off the ground into a four-pitch climb, hanging on my harness, exasperated. I had worked my way off the intended route out of a narrow and grindy crack. I had just watched Frank, my friend and veteran rock climber, ascend it with a graceful yet gritty ease. Even more embarrassingly, I was being watched from below by veteran climber Mike, whom I had just met. Humbled, avoidant of the painful positions that were required, and yet determined, an internal voice demanded, “Get in the f*ing crack!
I had a stint with rock climbing many years ago, but that was only in the gym, where routes were set and holds were easily distinguished. This is definitely not the case in outdoor “Trad” climbing. Most trad routes are centered around a crack in the rock face which requires the climber to jam body parts and sometimes a good portion of the body itself between the slabs in order to gain enough traction to move upward. On each climb, I have found myself faced with the temptation to bail out of the crack onto the spacious and slick rock face. Subconsciously I want to avoid pain, and I find myself off route without a good course of action to make it further upward. In life, this happens when I avoid hard conversations and situations at work or at home. I find myself at the golf course or at the gym instead of where I really should be. Or silent, withdrawn, and passive instead of intentional, active, and effective. Rock climbers understand that avoiding difficult situations won't lead to progress; it will only prolong the struggle. Similarly, in life, shying away from our problems or fears can leave us stagnant, preventing growth and personal development.
The title of this probably got your attention, and it may have even offended you, but it is my internal dialog when I find myself off my intended course. Unkind, lacking grace for myself, and even abusive. This is a great recipe for striving, exasperation, and shutdown. Part of my journey is trying to change my internal dialog to be more gracious. My climbing partners on the other hand were patient, kind, encouraging, and helpful. Attentive enough to not let me slip too far down the rock face, sharing just enough knowledge to get me unstuck and still have my own climb, and elated to see me overcome the obstacles under my own power. They remind me of the grace that is offered to us by God. Why do I have such a hard time offering myself the same grace?
Very importantly, before I set out on the climb, Frank had taken the lead and set cams that showed the route, and I was also tethered to him. He was on belay, and when I got off course, I could count on him to keep me safe and provide some rest. Much like a seasoned, caring, and patient climbing partner, we have a divine counterpart in our journey—God. He has gone before us, knows the route, and is on belay, ready to catch us when we slip and provide a rest when we need it most. In those moments of pause, we can gather ourselves, regain our strength, and, most importantly, trust in His goodness.
Faith allows us to push back into the challenging spots, trusting that there is a purpose behind the difficulties we face. We may not always understand why certain obstacles are in our path, but just as a climber strives for that next level, we too can aspire to rise above our challenges and reach the next step in God’s plan for our lives.
The crux of a climb is a key move that is usually the most difficult but crucial in completing a climb. Every challenge we conquer becomes a stepping stone to prepare us for the next one. It's a reminder that life's difficulties, much like the crux of a difficult climb, can be the turning point that propels us forward. The struggles we face are not in vain; they serve as opportunities for growth, resilience, and spiritual deepening.
One of the crux moments in my life came in 2018 at the age of 35. I was stuck and exasperated. I had put my faith in Jesus 7 years prior and experienced great growth, but I wasn’t fully alive. I was ashamed of my past and wanted it to be fully redeemed and thought God would do all the work for me. That didn’t happen. Instead, without giving me too much say in the matter, a friend from a men’s group signed me up for “The Crucible Project” initial weekend. That weekend was the hardest yet most transformative time in my life and has let me continue my climb.
Ask yourself, where am I avoiding hard conversations or situations? Where do I need to gather myself and press back in with full commitment and determination? Or maybe you find yourself going through life free-solo (climbing without a rope or any safety devices) without a trustworthy, faithful, and good God to hold you up and guide you when you lose your footing or get off course. I would encourage you to make God your climbing partner for life. Tether yourself to Him and climb truly free.
So, when you find yourself on the precipice of a seemingly impossible obstacle, remember that God is on belay, and with His unwavering support, you can gather your strength, push through the hard spots, and ascend to the next level. Just as in rock climbing, it's the combination of faith, trust, and determination that will help you conquer the challenges that lie ahead.
