Yesterday I had the opportunity to attempt a 16,000’ foot peak in Cotopaxi National Park in Ecuador with about 20 youth leaders from all over Latin America. It is freeing for me to admit that I reached my limit yesterday. In my pride I wish I could say that I had the energy and strength to bag that peak, but I didn’t. I couldn’t. You could stick a fork in me. I was baked.
Oswald Chambers’ devotional, My Utmost for His Highest is chocked full with wisdom and illustrations for outdoor ministry applications. One my favorites is his October 2nd reflection, “The Sphere of Humiliation,” based on the mountain of transfiguration in Mark 9:2-32.
As backcountry enthusiasts, guides, and spiritual leaders not only are we called to hone our awareness of outdoor dangers, but we are also in a position to help people learn lessons about spiritual realities from the wilderness terrain.
Leadership skills and the art of following… If it hadn’t been for that delay we wouldn’t have experienced that stunning sunset-ascent of Eldorado Peak and I wouldn’t have gotten my all-time favorite summit pic.
