I love all sorts of sports (even soccer, just a little bit). But, a sport I’ve never felt any measure of calling to get involved in is that of mountain climbing. I really don’t mind heights, but are you kidding me? There is no way that hanging by your fingernails on the side of a mountain makes any sense at all! That truly is treacherous!
However, there are a lot of similarities between the venture of journeying through life and the venture of mountaineering. Look at what this advertisement says, coming from a company marketing mountain climbing equipment…
Mountaineering can be fun, and relatively safe. Much depends on your level of expertise, partner, and choice of route. There are some potential objective hazards over which you have no control, such as weather, falling rock, and unseasonably late snow. What can stack the cards in your favor, however, is arming yourself with the right gear. It’s true, mountain climbing has become easier in the past decade, with sport-specific technology producing lighter, more efficient equipment. Lightweight helmets, mountaineering axes, and harnesses shave pounds off the weight of traditional gear, making it easier to feel like a climber rather than a pack mule.
Let me see if I can rewrite the above advertisement in different words…
“The journey of life can be fun, and relatively safe. Much depends upon your level of experience in walking with your partner – Jesus Christ – and the route you take in terms of the priorities of your life. There are some potential objective hazards over which you have no control, such as diseases, natural disasters, and unexpected events. What can stack the cards in your favor, however, is arming yourself with the Word of God. It is true, the journey of life has become potentially easier given the abundance of resources available in recent years. With lightweight CDs, study Bibles, and audio and video resources that ease the burdens of understanding the weighty truths of Scripture, it is easier for the believer to feel like a real champion in this life instead of a mere survivor.”
So much of what we are considering in this devotionals series surrounds the theme of calibrating our expectations for the inevitable sorrows of life. I think a greater number of Christians fail to have an appropriate balance in that regard, versus having the misbalance of viewing life in terms that are too negative. But there is great reason for joy in this world, along with excitement at the prospect of living in this world as a member of the Kingdom.
Again, you have got to love the perspective of the Apostle Paul…
Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.
So what do you do with a person like this? He is happy to live, because that means the joy of a life lived with God. But if the worst thing that could happen, happens – death… that is even better yet! Because, to die means being with the Lord! That is a great perspective.
And Peter also has the same great idea…“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:8,9) He rightly notes that we are even now, here in this fallen world, beginning to receive the joy of all that comes from the salvation of our souls.
My prayer for you, as you continue on in your epic journey through this Christian life, is that of Paul for the Romans… May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13).
Seriously 
Yikes! Mountaineering!
For me I’d need some reason beyond the adventure to engage in that sport! Some sports may have health benefits … but when the risk of injury gets too high – I’m out.
As a kid, I remember that for a while it seemed that every year someone in my little classroom had to spend some six months on crutches. This was when I was in fourth through sixth grade. Just a small class of some 25 people or so. Decided I’d avoid that sport. Not to mention my family never had the money … good thing probably.
Though the connection with this scripture in tenuous I remember Satan tempting Jesus to throw himself down from the temple saying that angels would catch Jesus. Jesus replied to not tempt God. Some sports seem to me to carry unnacceptably high risks…