There is nothing quite like that moment when you can finally stop climbing, stop striving and rest. Standing on the summit of a mountain with 360degree views of the world below provides a perspective and a peace that is unmatched.
Summit: "The highest point of attainment or aspiration."
I had this incredible experience two weeks ago when I summited Mt. Elbert. It's touted as the highest point in the Rocky Mountains and the view from 14,433' is unbeatable.
I summited that mountain. Finally. After erroneously thinking I made it to the top, not once, but twice!
Mt. Elbert is known to be the king of false summits.
If you're unfamiliar with the idea of a "false summit", let me enlighten you. Basically, you see a far off peak with no other peaks around. You set your eyes on that peak as the final destination. You move towards it, slow and steady, adjusting your pace accordingly to make it to the top. You are tired. Your body hurts. You just want to be done. But you keep moving. Eyes on the prize. It continues to be the only mountain you see. You convince yourself you're almost there and it will only take one final push. You step onto the top! Just as you're about to break out the maracas to celebrate, you see it- Another peak. Just as far away as the first and much, MUCH higher. You cry on the inside. You do some self talking. You eat some chocolate. Finally, you continue on your way wondering how the heck you could have been so duped.
This happened to me. Twice. Two false summits. (Apparently I'm a slow learner.)
False: "Tending to deceive or mislead."; "not genuine, counterfeit."
Deceived? Yes. Mislead? Uh-huh. Counterfeit? Definitely. But I resonate more with a fellow mountaineer's assessment of the false summit as "soul crushing."
It takes the wind right out of you.
In the same way that I was duped by that literal false summit, I find it equally easy to be duped by the figurative false summits in my life.
We are so prone to setting our sights on false summits, are we not?
We obsess on that one thing that, once attained, will make it all ok. Will put a stop to our striving. Will heal the ache.
- Once I lose weight...
- Once I graduate...
- Once I have a baby...
- Once my kids are older...
- Once people know what really happened...
We do this don't we? We get tired of the struggle and we look for something to bring the rest we long for. When we see it, we put every ounce of our energy and hope into it.
In fact, it's all we can see. And we plan our lives accordingly.
Then, after much toiling and climbing and angst, we summit.
We get that raise. We marry the boy. We have the baby. Our kids grow up.
And our souls are crushed.
"How could I be so duped?? I really thought this would be it. Now what?"
There's nothing wrong with striving for good things. It's when we try to get those good things apart from Jesus that the results are soul crushing.
"The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply." Psalm 16:4
The truth is, there is no true fulfillment, no true satisfaction, no true summit apart from God.
"You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:11
What is your false summit? What is the thing that keeps finding its way back into your thoughts? What do you talk about? What are you rearranging and manipulating to bring about?
If I may be so bold, what is your idol?
You see the world will hold out for you a beautiful array of false idols of which you are sure to find at least one that entices you.
It will tantalize you with promises it simply can't keep. And when, at last, the summit is under your feet, you will crumble at the weight of hope deferred.
Don't be deceived.
Lift your eyes up. There is a higher peak. It's the true peak. And it's life giving.
"But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14
In this life we will have many mountains to climb. Don't be duped by the false summits that promise rest. Walk with Jesus. In His presence is abundant life and unfathomable peace. And the view from the top? Immeasurably more.
"I say to the Lord, 'You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.'" Psalm 16:2
Father God, we confess that so often we fix our eyes on the counterfeit and then get angry at You when it doesn't satisfy. We confess our nearsightedness. That sometimes it's hard to see anything other than our idol. Lord strengthen our hearts, minds and bodies for the journey you've set before us. Give us the courage to walk with You. May we say along with the psalmist, "Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you." Psalm 73:25 Be though our vision today and forever. Amen.
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