At age thirty-three on May 29, 1953, at 11:30 a.m., Sir Edmund Hillary was the first man to summit the world’s tallest mountain, Mount Everest—29,035 feet. He was accompanied by Nepalese Sherpa, Tenzing Norgay. Recalling the moment, Hillary wrote, “I then realized that the ridge ahead, instead of still monotonously rising, now dropped sharply away, and far below I could see the North Col and the Rongbuk Glacier. I looked upwards to see a narrow snow ridge running up to a snowy summit. A few more whacks of the ice-axe in the firm snow, and we stood on the top.”
At age 88, on January 11, 2008, fifty-five years later, Sir Hillary died, as have all others in the world’s history, with but two exceptions. The Bible’s words once again ring true: “As in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22). Death is an appointment all must meet, “as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). The pinnacle of physical accomplishments fades against the background of eternity.
What analogous Mount Everest have you conquered? Has the educational level or degree you sought been gained? Has the steady, good-paying job or respected position you wanted been yours for years? Has the house you wanted been made a home and served as a refuge from the world? Has the challenging goal been met that made you employee of the month, salesman of the year, or recipient of a community service award? Again, we observe that the pinnacle of physical accomplishments washes out against the background of eternity.
From God, James wrote, “Whereas you do know not what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4:14). The width and depth and height of eternity is the canvas upon which we paint the picture of our lives. We cannot choose the colors or the texture, but the brush is in our hands. The ridge of life is still monotonously rising but soon will drop sharply away.
Christians have a blessed assurance from God. As the psalmist wrote: “You will guide me with your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory” (Psalm 73:24). “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).
—Gary McDade
