Originally published in the Vermilion Standard, here is my recent article: “Beware The Journey Down.”

I recently watched a fascinating documentary on an expedition trip to the top of Mount Everest.  Whether it is because of the discipline of the climb, the athletic skill, or the mental strength it takes, I have always been enthralled with mountain climbing.   It is an amazing sport that tests the limits of our human bodies and capacities.  As I watched the documentary, I was surprised by the statistic that 80% of mountain climbing accidents occur on the way down the mountain.  Although the harrowing journey to the summit is the focus for the layperson, it, interestedly, is the safest part of the journey.  As one comes down the mountain, they are more prone to physical exhaustion, oxygen depravation, attitude sickness, and mental lapses.  Consequently, the trip down is the most dangerous part of the journey.


This is analogous to life on so many levels.  We, too, can loose focus when we have achieved success, when we are healthy, or when life is good.  We can forget that life is not simply about being on the mountaintop but it is also sometimes about journeying well in the valley.  The challenge in either of these situations is to put our focus on God.  Psalm 23 communicates the need to put our focus on God (our shepherd/guide) in all parts of the journey.

“The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,  he refreshes my soul.He guides me along the right paths   for his name’s sake.Even though I walk through the darkest valley,I will fear no evil, for you are with me;  your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

God leads us to green pastures and sometimes our journeys take us through the dark valley, but in both of these places our focus needs to always be on God, our Good Shepherd.  To use mountain climbing language, we need to have our focus on our guide, at the summit and on the journey down to the valley.