What’s Your Everest? Blind Descent DevotionalSample

Day 2: Preparation

Our purpose was built before we breathed our first breath. As Ephesians 2:10 says, God has specific plans for us to do His handiwork. We may not understand the plan He has for us, but we are created with gifts to honor Him in all we do.

How do you train to climb Mount Everest? I probably get asked this question more than any during interviews and motivational talks. I feel it’s more of a lifestyle than a particular training regimen. Yes, in order to climb the highest peak in the world you need to up the game a bit, but you just don’t show up one day and say you’re going to climb. You must have the drive, experience, and ability to survive the two-month expedition.

Physical Training

I don’t know what others do but I can speak to my own experience. I wake up early in the morning, throw 60 pounds in a pack and go climb a local peak. This helps me build my physical strength and stamina. It’s simple cause and effect; if you make it a habit to work out often, your body will respond. You’ll become more fit and equipped to handle more difficult physical scenarios. You can then test yourself by pushing beyond your perceived limits to see what your body is truly capable of. You might surprise yourself.

Mental Training

Mental focus comes with planning in our minds and having the discipline to act out that plan. Being away for a long expedition in unknown conditions is mentally taxing. Thoroughly going through the plan and mapping out the phases of success helps make it real before it’s actually real. Being away from family and immersed in an unfamiliar environment can also weigh on you. I would say mental strength is more difficult than physical strength. In any survival situation, if you lose your mind you’ll never survive. Training for mental toughness is crucial to the success of the trip. 

Spiritual Training

Spiritual strength is vital in all areas of life. I can’t imagine embarking on such a journey as climbing Everest without being good with God. There’s so much downtime and alone time on a mountain that I’m almost continually in conversation with God. In high altitude mountaineering, everything moves in slow motion, providing ample time to grow deeper with God.

It’s a lot easier in life to take the easy route, but it’s important to ask yourself if that’s the correct path in your spiritual journey. Psalm 16:11 describes that we have a powerful God leading us in our journey if we accept His invitation. The easy route doesn’t lead to a life of fulfillment, based on the humans we were created to be. Growth and pleasure come from pushing beyond our perceived limits to truly know what we’re capable of achieving.

Discussion Questions:

Describe a time that you pushed beyond your limits. How did you grow from that experience?

How are you currently training physically, mentally, and spiritually?