Keep Climbing That Mountain!
I was reading about a famous mountain climbing resort over in the Swiss Alps. They have this one beginner mountain and practically everyday, different businesses will bring their employees to climb up the mountain together. It’s an exercise to build camaraderie and teach teamwork.
It’s about an eight-hour hike to the top of the mountain so the group normally gathers at the base about eight in the morning. They would be so excited and fired up. They couldn’t wait to get to the top and have their picture made together as they celebrate their victory!
About halfway up the mountain, there is a little restaurant. So about noon, the group will go into the restaurant, take off their hiking gear, sit down by the fireplace to drink some hot chocolate and eat their lunch. It’s a very warm, cozy setting. It’s interesting because the article said, on average, after they had gotten warm and comfortable; less than half of the people would choose to continue climbing to the top of the mountain. It wasn’t because they weren’t able; it wasn’t because it was too difficult. It was simply because they had gotten comfortable. They lost their drive to excel. They tasted a little bit of success and they thought, “You know what, this is good enough.”
Oftentimes, that’s exactly what people do in life. They have a goal or a dream. It could be something simple—a goal to break a bad habit, a dream to pay off credit cards, a plan to lose some weight. At first, you may start off excited and strong, but over time, complacency settles in. Maybe you see a little improvement and then, all of a sudden, you just get comfortable right where you are. It may not be a bad place, but it’s not where you’re supposed to be. It’s just average; just good enough.
I want you to remember, you are created for more than average. You are created to excel. You are created to stretch your faith and celebrate victory at the top of the mountain!
Maybe today, you’ve taken a little break. Maybe you’re comfortable where you are but I want to encourage you to put your hiking gear back on. Stir yourself up! Don’t settle for halfway; decide to go all the way. Even if others around you choose to stay in mediocrity, don’t let that be you. You keep climbing, believing,and pressing forward into the abundant life God has in store for you!
It’s about an eight-hour hike to the top of the mountain so the group normally gathers at the base about eight in the morning. They would be so excited and fired up. They couldn’t wait to get to the top and have their picture made together as they celebrate their victory!
About halfway up the mountain, there is a little restaurant. So about noon, the group will go into the restaurant, take off their hiking gear, sit down by the fireplace to drink some hot chocolate and eat their lunch. It’s a very warm, cozy setting. It’s interesting because the article said, on average, after they had gotten warm and comfortable; less than half of the people would choose to continue climbing to the top of the mountain. It wasn’t because they weren’t able; it wasn’t because it was too difficult. It was simply because they had gotten comfortable. They lost their drive to excel. They tasted a little bit of success and they thought, “You know what, this is good enough.”
Oftentimes, that’s exactly what people do in life. They have a goal or a dream. It could be something simple—a goal to break a bad habit, a dream to pay off credit cards, a plan to lose some weight. At first, you may start off excited and strong, but over time, complacency settles in. Maybe you see a little improvement and then, all of a sudden, you just get comfortable right where you are. It may not be a bad place, but it’s not where you’re supposed to be. It’s just average; just good enough.
I want you to remember, you are created for more than average. You are created to excel. You are created to stretch your faith and celebrate victory at the top of the mountain!
Maybe today, you’ve taken a little break. Maybe you’re comfortable where you are but I want to encourage you to put your hiking gear back on. Stir yourself up! Don’t settle for halfway; decide to go all the way. Even if others around you choose to stay in mediocrity, don’t let that be you. You keep climbing, believing,and pressing forward into the abundant life God has in store for you!