I just finished reading an incredible book called Paths of Glory by Jeffrey Archer. It's one of those books you stay up til the wee hours of the night because you can't put it down. The book is based on a true story about the supposed first man ever to reach the summit of Mt. Everest, Mr. George Mallory. You see for Mallory climbing Mt. Everest (the highest mountain in the world standing at 29,029 ft above sea level, also called Chomolungma or Jomolungma in Tibetan) was a dream he would never give up on, it was constantly on his mind, he was always preparing, never giving up. On his third attempt in 1924 at age 37 it seems he finally reached the summit. We will never really know, it's told that his body was last seen 600 ft from the top but all facts lead to him reaching the top. Through these attempts he had to battle many obstacles; minus forty degree weather, sheer rock cliffs that you can't go around, altitude sickness, wind, frost bite, avalanches and so much more.
As I read this book I couldn't stop thinking about what my Mt. Everest is. What is that dream that God has placed on my heart that I keep working towards and preparing for? That a times seems so hard to achieve and reach the summit. I know for me it has to be my dream and calling to be a full-time missionary in Africa. It's something constantly in my heart and on my mind. At times it seems so achievable, as if I'm right below the summit about to reach the top. And at other times it can feel so very far away like no amount of climbing will get me there. My preparation and process to getting to Africa you see at times has felt as if I've been blocked by sheer rock cliffs, minus forty weather and avalanches. But Mallory still made it to the top, to that summit he dreamed of. And I know in my heart and based on my trust in God that I too will reach the summit, I will place my feet on African soil and start working into the lives of countless children who need to know Jesus.
So I leave you with this? What is your Mt. Everest? Will you walk off the map like George Mallory did to achieve that dream? I know standing on top of the world it must have been all worth it to him. And I know it will all be worth it to me too as I see God working in the lives of the African children.
"Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord." Psalm 31:24
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