Finding Happiness in Christ (Series 3)Sample

Why Do You Climb Mount Everest?

You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11)

George Mallory was a famous mountain climber who might be the first person to ever reach the summit of Mount Everest. In the early 1920s, he led several attempts to climb the mountain and died on his 3rd attempt in 1924. His body was found in 1999 in good condition due to snow and ice, 27,000 feet from the top of the mountain, only 2,000 feet from the mountain top. He didn't give up. His body was found lying down a rocky slope, with his head pointing towards the top. His hands were raised high above his head. His toes pointed toward the mountain, his fingers dug into the loose rock, refusing to give up even as he breathed his last. A short rope – already broken – was tied around his waist.

In 1992 when Mallory was asked why he climbed Mount Everest, he replied:

"The first question you will ask, and the one I have to answer is, 'What's the point of climbing Mount Everest?' And my answer should be, 'It's no use.' There is not the slightest prospect of any gain. Oh, maybe we can learn a little about the behavior of the human body at height, and medicine can change our observations for aviation purposes. But nothing else could come of it. We will not bring back a little gold or silver or gemstones or coal or iron. We will not find soil or earth that we can grow crops that produce food. There is no point. So if you can't understand that there's something in humans that responds to the challenges of this mountain and goes to meet those challenges, then the struggle that ensues is a struggle from life itself upwards, and you won't see why we're leaving. What we get from this adventure is just joy. We don't live to eat and make money. We eat and make money to enjoy life. That is the meaning of life and the purpose of living."

Reflection: Be grateful when we still have life's challenges because this means that God loves us. Through various challenges, God will pour out His greater love, greater power, and presence. 

The three essential things to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to look forward to. 

(Joseph Addison)