by Lisa Simmons
Mt. Kilimanjaro looms large both on the plains of the Serengeti and in the world of mountain climbing. At 19,341 feet above sea level, it is the tallest mountain in Africa, the tallest freestanding mountain in the world, and one of the famed Seven Summits—the name given to the tallest mountain on every continent. Kili (its nickname) is so special, Ernest Hemingway used it as the backdrop for his acclaimed safari-themed adventure, The Snows of Kilimanjaro.
I have hiked so many mountains over the years, and the more mountains I have climbed, the more I am convinced that mountain climbing offers many similarities to walking with the Lord. They both require levels of planning, commitment, intentionality, sacrifice, courage, and an investment of time and treasure. I must say, it took some guts to fly 10,784 miles by myself to Tanzania for the 8-day hike.
For me, the start of something new is easy and exciting, and Kili was no exception. On Day 1 I was so pumped. I felt like I could run up the mountain with 40 pounds of gear. Then there was the exhilarating finish! We started climbing at midnight and summited six hours later, my chest burning from lack of air. When I thought I couldn’t take another step, the sunrise pierced the darkness and rewarded our team with a brilliant kaleidoscope of color. The top of Africa at last! I finished the race and savored the hard-won victory at 19,341 feet. Starting and summiting make memorable bookends to a person’s life story. It’s all the stuff in between that’s hard.
Living somewhere in the middle of life’s bookends is where we spend most of our time on earth. I admit that I’ve struggled with feelings of restlessness, disinterest, and even boredom during this stage. I’m neither anticipating the start of something big nor celebrating its memorable conclusion. I experienced this middle on Day 3 of Kilimanjaro. The initial rush of the big mountain gave way to 9-hour days trudging against stiff winds on barren sand and stone. There were no showers or legitimate bathrooms. The thrill was gone, and I wanted to quit.
Unfortunately, there is no easy way to turn back on Kili unless it’s a medical emergency. So, I kept plodding along and thought about why I wanted to give up in the middle of such an anticipated event. That led to more questions of myself. I asked how many times I had started a new home improvement project, a novel by a favorite author, a volunteer activity, or the latest exercise program, only to lose interest after a while and quit. How quickly was I moving on to the next shiny thing as soon as the current thing lost its luster? How faithful was I in the small things like calling a friend with whom I promised to stay in touch? I didn’t like the answers I heard, but I needed to be honest with myself and the Lord. The soul searching continued upon my return home when God’s spirit called my attention to this unbecoming behavior. I had made a New Year’s Eve resolution to wake up at 5:00 AM to study and pray, but after several weeks of my morning routine, a nagging feeling emerged. I wondered if I would continue with the same fervor as when I started or lose my motivation and quit. One thing I knew for sure was I needed God’s help in this area.
Immediately, the Lord prompted me to read His Word about practicing faithfulness in all things—large and small—which led me to several important scriptures. “Now therefore fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and in faithfulness,” declared Joshua 24:14 (ESV), and from Psalm 37:5 (ESV), “Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him and He will act.”
I suddenly felt convicted for not finishing a minor task that I had promised to do for someone. Reading further, Luke 16:10 (ESV) confirmed, “… one who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much.” God considered my commitments in seemingly unimportant things to be on par with larger, more significant ones. He expected me to keep my word regardless of my feelings and to stop rationalizing excuses—“I’m too busy,” or “I’ll do it tomorrow,” or “That’s not important.” He firmly placed in my heart to finish what I start out of obedience to Him and respect for others. I remember feeling a jolt of contrition while thinking, “When you ask God for answers, be prepared for the uncomfortable truth when He responds!”
Since my wakeup call (no pun intended), I’m thankful to say I enjoy my morning fellowship with the Lord more than ever. I’ve even moved up my appointment time to 4:30 AM to allow more time for prayer. Mark 1:35 (NIV) says, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” There are several such verses about His dedication to early prayer.
My morning routine isn’t routine at all; it is a non-negotiable event that defines my day, strengthens my faith, renews my mind, and reinforces good habits that spill over into every area of my life. I’ve discovered the joys of spiritual maturity and enjoying life “in the middle” as a result.
If you are you living in the middle at work, in your relationships, or your spiritual journey with God, discouraged because you feel stuck or unmotivated—take heart. You are not alone in the middle. Don’t quit praying, remember God’s promises, and don’t look elsewhere for your joy and fulfillment.
Remember, you’re not just anyone, you’re His. You’re God’s chosen! He knows you more completely than you know yourself. He will help you overcome temporary, misleading, and distorted feelings that the enemy uses to keep you stuck. Keep climbing every day to reenergize your faith. When you move closer to Him with an open heart, God will passionately respond in kindness. Keep going when you don’t feel like it. When you push through the middle, God will reward you with exciting new levels of faith, spiritual gifts, and a mountaintop experience that only He can give.
