I will never forget one of my first lead climbs. My partner and I decided I should try a fairly easy 5.8 at Elizabeth’s Furnace in Virginia. Since this was a route I had top roped successfully, I decided to overcome my fears and give it a go. Unfortunately, once I started up the route the nerves kicked in, and fear overcame logic. Rather than paying attention to where I was in regards to the bolts, I had chosen the easier, and what seemed less risky moves. Next thing I knew I was at least six feet directly horizontal to my bolt, frozen on the rock, with a very nervous partner below. All he could do was watch as I clung on the side of that rock, terrified. As I looked to the distant bolt, I was well aware of the bad whipper that was looming if I fell.
While clinging to the rock I remember thinking how foolish I was for not following the bolts. Not only had I put myself in a dangerous predicament, I was also out of viable holds to continue up the crag. My only option was to try and traverse right. After what seemed an eternity, I finally took a deep breath, prayed, and slowly traversed back to my bolts, and back on route. Thank God I did not fall, and I completed my climb without further incident. However, the lesson of staying on route and following the bolts was ingrained in me forever.
The Rock uses a rock
Recently, I have had the privilege of organizing a women’s climbing group through my church, Bethel Assembly. We gather in the Black Hills weekly, with women ranging from ages 14 – 60. They are amazing women, all with different backgrounds and different stories to tell. Our group consist of empty nesters, new moms, grand moms, and teenagers. We have courageous women fighting diseases, and caring for disabled loved ones. We have professionals, professors, laborers, stay at home moms, and students. Some struggle to get by, while others live comfortably. With all of our differences one thing is for sure, we have all discovered a love for climbing.
As I have gotten to know these ladies, we have begun to talk about some parallels between life and climbing. One of the topics that consistently comes up is to follow the bolts, and stay on route. So many times, a new climber will be at the crux of a route and start looking for an easier path. They do not realize that the route had been set up that way for a reason. The best path up has already been mapped out for them to follow. While moving off route may work momentarily, they often end up out of holds and stuck. Had the climber stayed on route, and pushed through the crux, they would not be in the pickle they find themselves in now.
His Plan
God has a path, a route, a plan for our lives. Through that journey we hit a crux from time to time that requires us to press into God, rely on His strength, dig deep, and power through. On the other side of those difficulties we find a nice big jug waiting for us to grab, find relief, and continue on with our climb …victorious.
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. – Proverbs 19:21
How often do we come to a challenge in life that we do not want to face? We look for an easier path and a way around the crux, trying to avoid the road ahead. As we turn to the left or the right, our steps may proceed unencumbered momentarily. Suddenly we find ourselves out of options, on a more difficult path, and out of God’s will. If we had followed His bolts, and stayed on His route, we could have pushed through the crux, emerging stronger, closer to Him, and with a clearer purpose for our lives.
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight – Proverbs 3:6
Follow the Bolts & Stay on Route
In climbing, and in life, I have learned that veering off route never goes well. Whether it is taking a whipper from a dangerous angle, or facing the consequences of turning from God to choose my own path, going off route never pays. You will always come to a point in your journey where you regret the choice to veer of course. But, when you allow God to direct your path, and rely on Him to push through life’s cruxes, you will always come out the other side stronger, wiser, and closer to Him.
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. – Jeremiah 29:11-13
Note: For more information about our Bethel Women’s climbing group, visit our EVENTS page.
