Stranded on the Mountaintop? (a Steve Orr scripture reflection)

At the summit, the temperature on Mount Everest never rises above freezing.  

Wind speeds in the month of May are 20-35 miles per hour, temps range from 0 °F to -2°, and the precipitation at base camp is rain versus the usual snow. Most ascents are in May to take advantage of these relatively gentler, drier conditions. 

 

David Breashears intended to ascend Everest in May 1996 to make an IMAX film. But long before the ascent to the top, long before they assembled the climbing team, long before the film crew was selected, and long before the sherpas were hired: 

 

David Breashears made a plan.

 

When the time finally did come for them to ascend the mountain, he had what Jim Collins (of Good to Great fame) calls a "SMaC recipe" (i. e., a plan that is Specific, Methodical, and Consistent). The plan’s purpose was to impose certainty on every aspect of the climb, to achieve assurance that every safety precaution was taken, to inspire confidence that they were going to make a great film about a great adventure, to ensure that absolutely nothing was left to chance. It was filled with very practical steps. For example:

Step 3: Thread the camera with bare hands, no matter how cold, to ensure a perfect shot every time, and 

Step 8: Always bring backups for critical gear and supplies: extra oxygen, extra crampons, extra mittens, and extra supplies. Be prepared to stay longer than planned. 

 

With that kind of specificity and forethought, you can be certain the other steps were just as meaningful. Which leads us to their Step 7: 

 

In selecting teammates, choose people to get stranded with.

 

The rest of the SMaC steps were particular to making the Everest climb and making the film. But Step 7 can be applied anywhere. We don’t have to be mountain climbers to appreciate the wisdom in carefully choosing our companions, no matter what adventures we share. 

 

It dovetails perfectly with this week's Philippians passage. Paul wants us believers to be a community, to agree with each other, to put each other first, to truly love each other. Then he ratchets up the stakes by giving us an example of what he means: Jesus choosing to give up his place in heaven so He could put us first. Paul wants us to be willing to let everything go—if that’s what it takes—to help each other; to be selfless, obedient, and sacrificial. Paul's encouragements underscore why we should carefully choose our spiritual journey teammates. Are they people we’re willing to be stranded with? Because until Jesus returns, that’s exactly where we are: stranded. 

 

So, yes, put Step 7 into action. But, equally important, be that teammate they want to be stranded with, too. 

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IMAGE (climbers partway up to the mountaintop):

https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/snowy-rugged-white-mountains-with-hiking-travelers_8857817.htm#page=2&query=Everest%20climbers&position=44&from_view=search&track=ais

 

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We have a great time Friday mornings at DaySpring’s Lectionary Breakfast! Join us at 8:00 on Zoom** and in person at Our Breakfast Place for an hour like no other. We read scripture, discuss, laugh.

 

Blessings,

Steve

 

 **Contact me for the Zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89947678414

NOTE: Zoom allows you to mute the camera and the microphone if you don’t wish to be seen or heard.

 

SCRIPTURES FOR SUNDAY AND THE COMING WEEK

 

Find them here:

https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/texts.php?id=161

 

Print them from here:

https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/pdf//Ax_Proper21.pdf

 

Exodus 17:1-7

Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16

Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32

Psalm 25:1-9

Philippians 2:1-13

Matthew 21:23-32

Proper 21 (26) (October 1, 2023)