Erik Weihenmayer did something I’ve only dreamed of doing. He summited Mt. Everest. Yeah I know, many people have. So why single him out? Well, for starters, over 200 people have died trying to climb Everest since 1990. The mountain is the tallest in the world at 29,028 feet, or 5 and a half miles above sea level. This is equivalent to the size of almost 20 Empire State Buildings. But that’s not what makes Erik Weihenmayer impressive. What makes him stand out is that he is completely blind. He’s first blind person to reach the summit of Mount Everest, on May 25, 2001. When asked about how he overcame this “limitation”, Erik said “You don’t just deal with adversity. You use it to propel you forward.” He also joked one time and said “Ropes became my best friend.”
Do you ever feel like your climbing blind? Like the odds are stacked against you and the path is unclear? Every climber, sighted or not, will tell you that one of the most critical things you must have to summit Everest are ropes. Lots of them. They serve two primary purposes. One, they are anchored into the mountain and will save you from a fall to your death. Two, they act as guides. When you’re above 25,000 feet, the air is thin, the weather crazy and your body starts to shut down. Mistakes up there don’t result in a bruised shin or a stubbed toe. They result in death. So ropes are critical, especially if you’re blind.
I’ve found that God is the great rope of life. He’s anchored to a greater reality then I presently know. In fact He IS the anchor. While “hooked on” to Him, I cant fall. I may stumble, but I won’t plummet. He’s also my guide. I often can’t see where I’m going. I could unhook and attempt to trek my own route, but at best I’d end up way off course and miss the summit. At worse, I’d step off a cliff and drop 1,000 feet. Either way, if I’m not connected to the great Guide, I’d miss the absolute thrill of summiting the highest peek in the world. So, fellow traveler, if you feel like a blind climber, hook on! He’ll take you to the top!
Psalm 37:23 (ESV)
The steps of a man are established by the LORD,
when he delights in his way;
