Because It’s There

August 24th, 2012 by Joe

Mount Whitney

When George Mallory was asked why he wanted to climb Mt. Everest, he famously responded, “Because it’s there.”

Tomorrow I will be climbing Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the lower 48 states. It’s not Mt. Everest but it does tower 14,500 feet in the air. I’m not sure why George Mallory climbed Mt. Everest. It might have been for the challenge. It is more likely it was for some sort of personal glory.

Moses once climbed a mountain for glory. It was not his own but to stand in the presence of the glory of the Lord.

I am climbing more for the second type of glory than the first.  I’m climbing with eight other men in part to spend time together and also to raise money for the India Gospel League as they attempt to win India for Christ.

I don’t believe God is any closer on the top of a mountain but at least a part of me expects to feel closer to him. I think the biggest reason for that is I will be so far away from all the familiar things of my life. The one thing I will have still with me is him.

Please spend some time praying for India today. It is a country that desperately needs the light and love of God.

And when you do pray for us as well. Pray that we might see something of the glory of the Lord in the magnificence of his creation.

PS. If you would like to do more than pray you can check out the website adventures4christ.com

PPS. While Bob is going to continue to post blogs for RedLikeBlood.com, I’m going to take a break to get the creative juices flowing again. Thanks for all of your encouragement the past eighteen months.

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  • TParker3neo

    Joe, God bless you all and especially Sanj, who is not noted for mountain climbing – yet!

  • Judy vc

    Kathy I like that “they are a light on a hill in a very dark area”…fitting that Joe mentioned Moses going up on the mountain. In Exodus when Moses goes up there, it says for 6 days a cloud covered the mountain, and on the 7th the LORD called to Moses from within the cloud, But… “to the Israelites the glory of the LORD looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain.”… I just love this because sometimes it may seem we enter into a cloud to find or experience God, but while we’re there that same cloud displays as the brightest light to the rest of the world (or consuming fire). Be encouraged by this, Joe (and the rest of the team) if it gets tough on the way up…God’s glory is all around and you will indeed experience it. Anything we do for and in His glory will shine to those who need it most.

  • http://www.facebook.com/gregorymom Michelle Miracle Gregory

    Praying for you and all the others climbing. Be blessed and go in safety. can’t wait to hear about your adventures when you return.

  • http://www.facebook.com/kathy.klopp.1 Kathy Klopp

    Thank you, Joe, for doing this. Having just returned from India with India Gospel League, I can say first hand that they are doing amazing work there. I love how they provide the Indian people a hand up and not a hand out. They are a light on a hill in a very dark area of the world and they serve steadfastly with boldness and courage. I always leave a piece of my heart there.

  • Susan Moore

    “Come to me, all ye who are weary…” That sounds like an odd thing to say to someone who is about to climb a mountain. But I’ve noticed that sometimes it seems I’ve had to climb mountains to get closer to God. The Sierra Crest -what a wonderful place to get one’s creative juices restored! In that we are created in His image, I would be looking everywhere for the patterns in what He has created. He created order out of chaos, so, there are patterns everywhere. His fingerprint, retinal print, and signature are on everything He has made. I find Him, bask in His glory, and am restored. Praise Him!