There I stand with climbing shoes on and a rope tied to my climbing harness, an 18 meter high wall in front of me. I look up to the top and realize how challenging the climbing route actually is, but I can also clearly see my goal—there is no turning back now. I turn my head to my friend. We nod to each other and I say, “Climb ready”. My heart starts beating fast as I am doing the first grips. With concentration I ascend the route, step by step, but at some point I feel the sweat on my hands and my muscles start burning. I am almost at the top, so with combined strength I do the last grips and finally reach the anchor. When I started rope climbing, I did not know that I would actually learn a great deal about Jesus.
Usually when you go rock climbing there is a lead climber who climbs up first and leaves the ground with no protection in the rock. As you ascend your route, you take the rope with you and you clip it into the fixed quickdraws. When you reach the anchor, you secure the rope and then the belayer lowers you back to the ground. The leader shows that the climb is possible and he sets a good example. Jesus also went ahead of you to prepare the way for you. In John 14 Jesus promised: And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am. Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” For the word “prepare” the original Greek word is “prodromos” which describes a person running ahead (a forerunner) to reach the destination before others. In this way he is arriving safely in advance for the benefit of others who also need to get there. He wants to show that, even though the climb can be tough sometimes, it is possible to reach the top. Jesus went through all the difficult situations and temptations. “As one of us He was to give an example. For this He took upon Himself our nature, and passed through our experiences.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 24
After the lead climber is back on the ground, he becomes the belayer and it is time for the other climbing partner to ascend the route. The belayer wears a harness that has a belay device attached. The rope threads through the belay device. The climber has to fully trust the belayer so that whenever he falls—he might fall just a little bit, but he will fall never to the ground—the belayer is in full control of the situation. Jesus wants to be your belayer as well, the one you trust 100%. He wants to teach you that you are not in control; He is. He wants to show you that when He seems most absent and you are falling, He is really most present and is there to catch you. Jesus walks beside you even when you cannot see, hear, or feel Him. He provides you with what you need to get through deep pain and unbelievable circumstances. Place your trust in Him and let Him prove to you that He will not disappoint you. Trust in the LORD with all your heart. Do not depend on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). Trusting your climbing partner also strengthens the bond between the two of you. You know that the other person would not let you get hurt. It is the same with Jesus: Every time you trust Him and have more and more experiences with Him, the relationship grows stronger.
The belayer is also the one motivating and giving advice to the climber, which helps him to go on. My climbing partner often tells me, “Come on, you can do it!”, “Put your foot on that left hold.” Or, “Try again. Don’t be scared!” When I feel tired or my arms get weak, I tell my friend, “Tight,” which means to tighten the rope right away. That way I can take a break by just sitting back in the rope without falling. I can renew my strength and think about the next step. In your life Jesus is the one telling you: Here is what I am commanding you to do. Be strong and brave. Do not be terrified. Do not lose hope. I am the LORD your God. I will be with you everywhere you go. (Joshua 1:9). When you do not know the way, Jesus is yelling from the bottom: I will guide you and teach you the way you should go. I will give you good advice and watch over you (Psalm 32:8). In times of weakness and tiredness He promises you: But those who trust in the LORD will receive new strength. They will fly as high as eagles. They will run and not get tired. They will walk and not grow weak (Isaiah 40:31).
On your way up it is very important to focus on the anchor at the top of the climbing route. Sometimes you may take a quick glance at the other fellow climbers or to the ground, only to realize that this is just distracting you from your actual goal. Do not look down or to the side because you might get discouraged from going on. Have your goal set in your sight! When Peter took his eyes off Jesus he began to sink. Always, look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrew 12:2).
When you reach the anchor at the top of a climb, you shout, “Take,” and wait for a response from the belayer, indicating that he has you on belay and is ready to lower. You have to lean back and let go of the rocks and the rope. Here again, it is your turn to trust your partner that he will bring you safely back to the ground. It will take quite some effort to let go at such a height. Only if you let go can you make the experience that you will be held. It is the same with trusting in Jesus. Only if you are dependent on Him, if you let go completely, will you know that He always catches you. He wants you to let go of your pride that keeps you from seeking Him. He wants you to let go of the jealousy that keeps you striving for the things of this world, that only bring disappointment; things you really do not need. He wants you to let go of finding your strength in people, things, hopes and desires, so that you might find your strength in Him alone. Loosen your grip on the things that hold you back to live the life that God has in mind for you!
Manuela Di Franca