Saturday, August 28: The journey

Today, I drove back from Mt. Whitney with Tommy. Our group of climbers began with eight, but after a strenuous day hike on Wednesday, we were down to four. Thursday morning at 3:30, we began the 22-mile journey, and as we approached Trail Crest at 13,600 feet, could see the conditions deteriorating rapidly. Tommy was hurting with a cramp in his side and lagged a little way back, while Morgan, Rob and I approached the summit. Every seasoned climber that we passed cautioned us to turn back. We anxiously watched the darkening clouds to see which direction they were moving. Could we sneak up to the summit, take a quick photo and hurry down? While making the decision, we saw a bolt of lightning crash on the summit, less than a half mile away. Morgan asked if there was a place to hide for a couple hours, where we could let the storm pass. Unfortunately, that side of the mountain is completely exposed.


We turned around and began to descend rapidly. In less than a half mile, we met up with Tommy, who was continuing toward the summit at 14,000 feet. All four of us were mentally and physically able to go to the top, but that was not our destiny that day. Having been on the summit many times before, I hurt for the three who were disappointed to get that close without reaching the peak. For the first 5 miles down the mountain, hail pummeled us. It felt like we were being shot continuously with BB’s. Moving at different paces, all four of us arrived at the bottom alone and exhausted. Driving back to Laguna Beach today, Tommy and I conversed about the journey.


Tommy is living in a sober, recovery house with others on the same path. Having been controlled by substances until 90 days ago, he has been humbled and is now seeking the Lord. The trek up Mt. Whitney reminded him of his walk with Jesus, and his walk without those substances. He spoke of the physical difficulty of ascending the mountain. Though I had described how difficult it would be, the exhaustion of muscles coupled with the thinning air as we ascended, became an internal argument. “Stop now; it hurts too bad!” OR “You can do this, Tommy. Just put one foot in front of the other!” One was the voice of God, reminding Tommy that even though it was difficult, he shouldn’t quit. Tommy stopped looking at the summit, which was tantalizingly within view. Instead, he took one step at a time, seemingly alone. In rehabilitation, Tommy has been surrounded by other people with the same struggle. Sometimes, it is easier to move as a group, and that support can be very helpful. Yet because God made us all to be different, we don’t always move at the same pace. Tommy found that moving at his own pace was synonymous with his path to recovery. There would be times when he would need that individual strength, without the support of a group. What we sometimes forget, though, is that even when there are not people around us to encourage us, God is always there!

All of us as Christians are on that same path. It doesn’t matter if God has rescued us from substance abuse or other bondages common to man. Our journey is to God, with God and because of God. There are times when we get ahead of Him, travelling at our own pace, while the opposite also occurs, with us moving more slowly than He desires. Regardless, God brings us to the place He wants us to be, and there is no more peaceful feeling than doing it all in God’s perfect timing. When we look to Him, His hand will guide us.


1I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help?
2My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.
3He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Psalm 121:1-3


Not reaching the summit reminded Tommy that his journey was not yet over. Many struggles remain in his path, and in ours, but with God guiding us, protecting us, and sometimes even carrying us, we will complete the journey with Him! There are mountains to climb, giants to slay and crosses to bear.


“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
John 15:5


28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30