Keep Climbing! (Part 2)

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” Philippians 3:12 

You’re either a quitter, a camper, or a climber.

It’s easier to quit than to endure. Quitters start something but then give up when things get hard. And then there are campers. These people don’t throw in the towel at the first challenge, but they get up, win, and have some success. But unfortunately, they only go so far. A camper goes a little way and then stops. They have a few successes, and then they become satisfied and complacent. They say things like, “Well, it’s good enough for me. I’m doing better than most folks.” They grow weary of the climb and get comfortable where they are. They terminate the ascent.  

Maybe you have reached a comfortable place in your marriage or your walk with God. Possibly you would say, “I’m not a quitter, I started. I’m in it, but I’m not really reaching, climbing, grabbing, and fighting for more territory and trying to get up there where God has shown me I’m supposed to be.” This second group reaches a point where they start camping out. They find a small, smooth plateau, and they camp out there. They pitch a tent, make a campfire, and play it safe. They roast marshmallows and kick back and say, “I have arrived in life.” These are the ones you hear saying, “I made the team. I started the game. I even played the last game, but I’m comfortable now. I don’t have to try much. I don’t have to strive anymore to climb this mountain. I’m good enough and don’t need to get better.” They start hanging out with other campers, and before you know it, they’re real comfortable right where they are, and there’s no hunger for more.  

Success should not diminish our desire. If it does, you will not remain successful very long. God wants you to be a climber. He wants you to be dedicated to a lifelong journey that says, “I have not arrived. I have not reached the place that I’m supposed to be. I have not peaked. I have not reached my high mark in God.”  Climbers continue an upward journey regardless of misfortune, disadvantage, pain, or past achievement. They do not get satisfied. Climbers see obstacles as opportunities. They see the glass half full. Climbers understand that a bend in the road is not the end of the road. Like anyone else, climbers get hurt but then get over it. They just keep going. A climber may stop to rest, but they don’t stop to quit.

Matthew 5:1-2 in the Message Bible reads like this, “When Jesus saw the huge crowds, He climbed a hill, and those committed to Him climbed with Him.” And when they got to the top, He sat down, “and taught His climbing companions.” Not everybody got to the top of the Mount of Beatitudes. They had to climb. And His fellow companion climbers got blessed in ways that others didn’t. You decide how close you get to Jesus. He’s looking for some courageous hiking buddies to come on an amazing journey with Him. Will you be one of them?

Share