What makes something impossible? Is it something that has never been done before? Is it something that you believe you are not capable of? Is it something that is not possible without divine intervention? Is it something that is not possible without incredible discipline, focus, struggle and pain?
In the documentary 14 Peaks: Project Possible, mountaineer Nims (Nirmal Purja) set out to climb all 14 8000m Mountains in 6 months. Everyone said it was impossible, and this only fueled Nims to do it. There were many physical obstacles; the mountain, the weather and his own Mum was sick and almost died during this mission, yet he persevered.
Something deep in my soul longs to journey, climb, walk head-on up the mountain, and see God move. Our walk of faith is a journey like no other. There is a constant and continual enemy working to thwart what is possible in God, like a nagging insecurity or the biggest hater heckling you with every step you take.
Jesus said that anything is possible with God; I believe this to be true. But the deeper question I want to ponder is, do I live like I believe this to be true? This spiritual journey is like a climb up a mountain. It’s hard most of the time, but there is such beauty to behold if you look for it. You can focus on your pain or look up and see the vast expanse of a world so far beyond your control that your only comfort is to surrender to its creator.
There are obstacles around every turn, sometimes, a weather system rolls in, and you cannot even see your hand in front of you, but the clouds eventually clear, and the way forward becomes clear again.
One of the greatest mountaineers of all time, Messner described that when mountaineers are asked Why they go to the high peaks? they say. “Because it’s fun.” Messner says, “I don’t believe them. It’s not fun. It’s a place where you have to learn to cope with pain because it’s painful.”
Isn’t that the journey of life? The journey of us all, trying to figure out how to cope with the pain of life because life is painful. If mountaineers can learn it on the mountain, not fear the pain or adversity, then maybe we can do it in life as well.
There is a longing inside my body to climb, but whether I do it in this physical world or continue to do it in my spiritual life, I will climb; I will face the impossible and trust that with God, anything is possible. I will overcome the obstacles that are put in front of me with joy and endurance. I will stand Heartstrong and fight for joy in the journey because God has already provided that for me.
