| “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). |
| When I was just 5 years old, a world news event hit the headlines of all the newspapers. For some reason I found it very exciting, and the subject has interested me ever since. It was on May 29th, 1953, that Sir Edmund Hillary, a mountain climber from New Zealand, reached the top of Mt. Everest in Nepal. Everest is the highest mountain peak in the world, at 29,029 feet (8,849 metres) above sea level. Not quite 50 years later I experienced an exciting moment as I saw the top of that mountain. Our plane flight from Kathmandu, Nepal into the country of Bhutan took us right past, and quite close to, the peak of Mt. Everest. The sky was blue, the sun was shining, and I got a wonderful picture. |
| Edmund Hillary was the first to reach the summit, and he has been followed by 5,788 others. More than 300 have died in the attempt. About 800 try the climb every year, even though it costs between $30,000 and $160,000 to outfit yourself, hire a guide and obtain the necessary permits. One lady who made the climb said she did it because her life was not going anywhere, and she was bored and wanted some excitement! |
| As I write this there is a deep blanket of snow outside and the temperature last night at our home was minus 25 deg. C. (13 deg. below zero F.). I am all for winter sports and enjoying God’s creation. And even mountain climbing! But read today’s verse again — “I press toward the mark.” Of what? Of the top of a mountain somewhere? No, “Of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” |
| We all like to have a goal in life. It is necessary to help us accomplish things. But the Lord wants our goal to be much higher than 29,029 feet above sea level. He wants us to have our eyes on heavenly things, even while we are still living here on His earth. We have talked in other meditations about how we are created for eternity. Our time here in this world is like the blink of an eye in the reaches of eternity. Can we make it our goal to live each day for our Savior, and ask Him each morning to make us useful, and pleasing to Him that day? |
