Greek Free Church - Perspective

June 8, 2006

The Rush to the Top

Controversy surrounds the recent death of 34-year-old Briton David Sharp, about 300 metres from the summit of Mount Everest. He had climbed the summit solo and was on his way down when he encountered difficulties. A party of more that 40 climbers continued on past him on the way to the peak. Some stopped to give the man oxygen but a decision was made that he was too close to death for them to even attempt a rescue. He body was later found in an icy cave.

One can only begin to imagine the despair and the anguish of that poor man as he lay there waiting for death. The thoughts and dark clouds descending. His family and friends. Maybe regrets about things he had done, other things he had not done, and things he would do differently if he had a second chance. I wonder what he felt as members of the other party walked away, and his only hope to life in such a remote location walked away with them.

And yet that scene is repeated many times each day in many people’s lives. Born with hopes and expectations and one day finding themselves on the scrap heap because of circumstances and someone’s decision that we have passed our use-by date. Those you most expect to stop and help leave you floundering, each one too engrossed in their own journey to their “summit” to take note of what is happening around them.

In the Bible we find the story of the Good Samaritan. A man was on his way to Jericho when a band of thieves jumped him. He was terribly beaten, robbed and left to die. The people that came by and saw the man were too busy with their journey through life to stop and help. They had their issues to deal with, their troubles and pursuits. They didn’t want any delays to their destination, and definitely not to get involved with things that require any sort of commitment. Unfortunately, they were representatives of the religious leaders of the time, the people that would be expected to stop and help the poor man, but they walked on by. Some time later a total stranger stopped to help that man. He dressed the wounds and picked him up and gave him hope.

Do you feel you have been left on the sidewalk of the highway called “life”, abandoned by everyone, no one interested or around you to help? Do you feel your past coming back to haunt you, the guilt and despair and hurt? Jesus said, “Come to me all you that are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.” He does not turn anyone away. He has time for everyone that has time for Him. Jesus wants to help, to heal and give you hope. He said, “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If any man hears my voice and opens, I will come in…” And, “Today if you hear the voice of the Lord, do not harden your heart”.

Are you too busy with life to take note of people around you, or even the needs of your own soul? Slow down. Jesus said, “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and looses his soul”.

Will you let Jesus come into your life?