getting to ‘base camp’
Some want me to use this post for more ‘personal thoughts’, others for more ‘God-thoughts’ and yet others for more thoughts about raising two little boys…i got a lot of comments on my baby barf posting (who knew it could really be that interesting?) My problem is that I am who I am, and I can’t segment myself and still be me…I gotta post what is me at any given moment, and I hope what I communicate would be meaningful to you. That’s why I blog.
So what’s been the most meaningful thing to me this week? I was doing some research for student ministry, and I came across an wikipedia article on climbing Mount Everest. It said that just climbing to the base camp took a average climber 6 days! Thats just to base camp! For climbing-illierates, thats already 17,700 ft above sea level (The top of Everest in over 29,000 ft). How could ‘base camp’ be so high and already so draining?
Most of us, including me, look at the words of Jesus in Luke 2:49-50 and think it’s simply all about where the boy Jesus learned and grew as a young Jew. When I carefully read what He said to his mom and dad “Didnt you know I had to be in My Father’s house?”, I think Jesus was doing more than ‘learning and growing’. In my mind, that’s the beginning of a long road for Jesus- the long climb to His ‘base camp’ is simply to be in the same place as His loving Father.
Jesus has to be with His Father, because He knows that ‘real ministry’ would depend on ‘real moments’ between Him and the Father. This isn’t flooty tooty spiritualism we’re talking about. Actually being with your dad in his house, simply to enjoy his company. I love my own dad, Ron. I love hanging out even though he doesn’t totally get why I follow Jesus. We go to visit my mom and him, spend time in their home, laugh-eat-rest-play…but somethings missing.
What’s missing is this intimacy (or deep connection) that Jesus experiences with His Father in heaven. He is completely and totally loved, His Father tells Him this countless times in the NT, reassures Jesus of His love, and Jesus is always affectionate when talking about His Father. How I long to have that kind of a connection with my sons! Although it’s an incredible relationship, it’s also very dangerous, time-consuming, and difficult to maintain.
If you’re hiking Mt Everest, and you’re just getting started, you need to climb very slow because your body needs to take time to ‘acclimatize’ to the altitude and decreased levels of oxygen. Some get so sick during this 6-day hike to base camp, that they never make even the first leg of the climb. Many are simply unable and unwilling to do the work. Jesus knew that to humble Himself, become a man like me, experience real temptation, and still obey His dad completely, He needed to do the hard work of being real with His Father-acknowledging His need of God on a daily basis and rejecting His Enemy (Satan) on a daily basis. Even before Jesus starts ministry, He gets attacked (Lk 4)!
In my own life- every area of my life- I feel like I am just trying to ‘get to base camp’. Although I’m willing to do the hard work of being close with God- daily repenting of sin and trusting Him to be with me- sometimes it’s all so exhausting and I find myself in need of other ‘climbers’ along the way. Thank God for good friends on the climb who keep an eye on each other (a good church family is so crucial for the journey!).
So even though I have these roles- husband, dad, friend, pastor…all of these things are what makes my climb so ‘epic’. Jesus is my ‘Sherpa’, He is my ultimate guide- my Pastor Ron & leaders in my church seeing me through it all are my ‘yaks’ who I know will carry any burden I toss on them (what a great team!). Fellow climber, let’s be real about where we are, how we all need to come to Jesus with our baggage, and spend time with our Father for climbing directions.