As I trudged higher and higher through the snow of Mount Ngauruhoe (narrow-hoe-ee) the predicament I was in became apparent. Either continue on into the blinding fog with no sense of direction accompanied by impending dangers, or submit to the fact that I had scaled a great portion of this imposing mountain and the time had come to call it a day.
Ngauruhoe, an active stratovolcano on the North Island in New Zealand, is commonly known for being the model of Mount Doom in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy.
Due to inclement weather, my expedition of climbing Ngauruhoe, highlighting the backdrop of Tongariro National Park, had experienced a near cancellation. Upon arriving at my hostel I discovered that the Tonguriro Crossing had been canceled due to the extreme weather this region had been experiencing. All climbs had been cancelled but my schedule allowed for no flexibility. Thus, after seeking the advice of a local climbing outfitting joint, I decided to proceed with the climb alone.
Heading out at seven, the North Island still covered in the throes of dawn, I picked up a latte along with a Sausage, Egg, and Cheese McMuffin from a nearby McDonalds and headed towards Tongariro National Park…a ninety-minute drive from my hostel. Prior to venturing out, I stopped at an outfitting outlet to pick up a few essential elements (climbing shoes, gloves, proper headgear, and some maps). After discussing the conditions with these blokes, we arranged if I wasn’t back by 1800h, they would come looking for me.
Arriving at the park, the landscape stole my breath. The expansive beauty captured my heart and passion, and there, rising up on the horizon, completely covered in clouds and fog was the target... Ngauruhoe. Despite not seeing the mountain due to the cover, I knew it was there and intended to conquer it.
The adventure was magnificent.
As I trekked through Tongariro, I saw not one soul. Not one. Completely alone in a vast expanse of mountains, prairies, and mountain streams. As far as the eye could see. there were no explorers, park rangers, or signs of human life. Only the sound of the birds, brooks, waterfalls, and the wind whipping across the open fields and the howling weather on the mountain. Tranquility and peace.
Just me and God.
So we walked and talked as closest of friends. There was absolute joy, laughing and tears. A precious time together.
Reaching the South Crater, I began the pursuit of Ngauruhoe's summit. The fog was blinding and intense. I relied on the post markers planted every ten to twenty meters to keep me on track. Knowing the danger of the mountain, its glaciers and sudden deathly drop-offs, I trudged cautiously, step by step. It wasn't too long, however, before the blinding snow and fog masked my eyes from identifying the next guidepost. I was stuck with a choice. Wait for the fog to clear, or call it a climb.
That day, God taught me a lesson.
How often in life is it hard to see where we are going (just as I couldn't see Ngauruhoe that day due to fog, but I knew it was there by faith). We want a blueprint for our lives. We wonder why bad things happen to good people, or why cancer, broken hearts, and hurt exist. Yet perhaps God has a plan far bigger than our earthly eyes can see. Rather than "why," perhaps our question should be, "what" (would you have me learn)?
We are called to go from one guidepost to the next. By faith. Faith not in ourselves, but in the God who can see through the fog of life and knows exactly what He is doing, even when we can't see the mountain. Faith is that "substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1)
We don't have to understand everything. It's ok. As long as we know the One leading. In the words of Oswald Chambers, "Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading."
God's Word clearly tells us in Hebrews 11:6, "Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." If we all saw God for who He fully is, we would believe, but that belief would be based on sight, not faith. God desires a relationship with us based on love. A love which believes Him for who He says He is and lives on that premise.
And as we journey, let us not forget that His Word (the Holy Bible) is "a lamp to our feet and a light to our path." (Psalm 110:105) Simply a lamp. A small lantern providing enough light to show us the next divot in the road. Not a floodlight for strategic planning. Light enough to keep us walking, yet not an abundance to keep us trusting.
One guidepost at a time.
Simple obedience.
And when the fog gets too thick to even see the next step, just wait. Soon in the fog, you'll hear those comforting words of Jesus, "Follow Me!"
