Conquer the Summit
After summiting Mount Timpanogos yesterday mid-morning, a few thoughts came to mind as I looked out over her peak at Utah, Salt Lake, and Heber valleys. The hike became a great metaphor for different challenges I've been recently facing and I wanted to share a few of my thoughts with you.
It's actually not (completely) all about the climb. The climb is rugged, steep, and at times incredibly frustrating and painful. It has it's beautiful scenery and with the right company conversation is enjoyable, but when it came down to it, it was me & my own motivation that took me to the top of the mountain. The encouragement and camaraderie of my friends definitely helped, but in the end I was the one who summited by my own merit. The climb teaches you many things, like what it means to endure and exercise patience as you do so, but it's only once you get through the hardest part of the ascent to get to the peak that you begin to value of the journey from the bottom.
Don't settle for the saddle, reach the peak. There is a point at the end of Timpooneke trail that is known as Timp saddle. From there, the view of the valley is quite impressive and it's a good spot to take a break. After resting for a bit on the saddle as our group made the climb to the highest point on Mount Timpanogos, the thought came to me "conquer the summit". I was there to finish what I started, not go 3/4 of the way and say I completed the task.
The view is worth it. The rays of sunlight spreading over the valley, realizing that you were able to finish such a task before the people below even awake makes one feel very accomplished and very, very, very tired. There is a sense of awe and amazement that overcomes you as you look at the awakening valley below makes one feel small and appreciate the grandeur of the mighty mountain. Being at that elevation helped me appreciate those prophets as well as faithful worshippers in scripture who sought after high places to be nearer to God; now I understand why. President Henry B. Eyring said the following in his April 2012 General Conference address entitled "Mountains to Climb" (emphasis added),
On the mountain, my body and my mind proved themselves strong and capable to accomplish a difficult task. On the mountain with a view miles high, I said a silent prayer to thank God for His bounty of goodness and outpouring of patience in my behalf despite stubbornness and a lacking of faith on my part more than I'd like to admit. God is good, and just like reaching the peak of the Wasatch front's most spectacular mountain, we too will one day see and understand that our Father in Heaven has always, that He always does, and that He will always keep His word and His promises to us. His love and His angels are always on our left and on our right to bear us up. He does it because He loves us.
Whatever challenges you face, hang in there. Keep climbing. Keep pushing. Keep moving and keep going. And when you've reached your saddle and want to settle with a mediocre outcome, realize that you have come just that far and push through every ounce of doubt to go a little further and reach the top. You have it in you. Go conquer your summit.
It's actually not (completely) all about the climb. The climb is rugged, steep, and at times incredibly frustrating and painful. It has it's beautiful scenery and with the right company conversation is enjoyable, but when it came down to it, it was me & my own motivation that took me to the top of the mountain. The encouragement and camaraderie of my friends definitely helped, but in the end I was the one who summited by my own merit. The climb teaches you many things, like what it means to endure and exercise patience as you do so, but it's only once you get through the hardest part of the ascent to get to the peak that you begin to value of the journey from the bottom.Don't settle for the saddle, reach the peak. There is a point at the end of Timpooneke trail that is known as Timp saddle. From there, the view of the valley is quite impressive and it's a good spot to take a break. After resting for a bit on the saddle as our group made the climb to the highest point on Mount Timpanogos, the thought came to me "conquer the summit". I was there to finish what I started, not go 3/4 of the way and say I completed the task.
"It is never too late to strengthen the foundation of faith. There is always time. With faith in the Savior, you can repent and plead for forgiveness...I cannot promise an end to your adversity in this life. I cannot assure you that your trials will seem to you to be only for a moment. One of the characteristics of trials in life is that they seem to make clocks slow down and then appear almost to stop...If we have faith in Jesus Christ, the hardest as well as the easiest times in life can be a blessing. In all conditions, we can choose the right with the guidance of the Spirit...We never need to feel that we are alone or unloved in the Lord’s service because we never are...The Savior has promised angels on our left and our right to bear us up. And He always keeps His word."
"These mountains, which have seen untold sunrises, long to thunder praise but stand reverent, silent so that man’s weak praise should be given God’s attention."
- Donald Miller
Whatever challenges you face, hang in there. Keep climbing. Keep pushing. Keep moving and keep going. And when you've reached your saddle and want to settle with a mediocre outcome, realize that you have come just that far and push through every ounce of doubt to go a little further and reach the top. You have it in you. Go conquer your summit.
- Nat.
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