For a hiking standing at the foot of Everest is a pinnacle moment, and for every hobby/passion there is a pinnacle moment.  Even though those pinnacle events can seem so far off in the distance to ever be a reality it’s always a good idea to be planning that the day will come when God will make it happen.  For Commander Mark Hurst and his son Branden the fall of 2016 was the time when God put all of the pieces together for their trip to Nepal and their hike to Base Camp Everest.

Bucket lists have been the popular way to describe those things that we want to one day accomplish.  I think seed planing is another way to describe the start of many of our greatest adventures.  It’s why Super Bowl commercials are a million dollars a minute and companies are happy to pay.  If just a small seed can be planted in your mind and then take root in your heart it’s likely that you will make investments to reach that goal.  I want to drive that car, travel to that destination, or have that experience.  Marketing gurus have capitalized on truth about mankind that the Bible has been stating all along.

Fun fact about Mark and Branden’s pinnacle moment was their peeked at over 18,000 feet near the literal top of the world.  The hike from Nepal to Base Camp took eight days and they were accompanied by three porters and a guide or shirpa.  The term sherpa has been given to the individuals living on the outskirts of the Nepal that guide climbers up to the top of the world. In order to reach the highest place on the planet you need to find a good sherpa.  Interestingly it’s four times more dangerous come down that up.

There is a valuable take home here.  Think about it, to reach the highest places in your life and, maybe more importantly, to successfully endure the lowest you need a good sherpa.  A guide, someone who has walk that stretch of life before you and can give you the wisdom to navigate it for yourself.

At first the help seemed awkward to a couple of seasoned hikers like Mark and Branden, but remember, these guys are at an altitude most of us only experience on-board an American Airlines flight, and needed to have the extra gear for the extreme weather.  But, as seasoned Christ followers, Mark and Branden also recognized the opportunities to make some new friendships and share their relationship with Jesus.  Often times we need to let others help.  By allowing others to share their gifts and skill you create opportunities for relationship and for sharing the gospel.

Summit Fever is a condition that occurs when you have put all of your energy and all of your passion on reaching the top only to find you have nothing left for the decent.  Mark and Branden remind all of us that all journey have ups and downs and for every assent to a summit there is a decent to the valley.  All the more reason to have a Shipa.

For those of you in Rangers you know that when your looking for the Shipa’s of life the brotherhood of Commanders is a great place to start.  Also, if your a dad looking for your next adventure with your son Royal Rangers gives you that platform and takes much of the planning and preparation off of your shoulders.

Don’t let the law of diminishing intent stall you.  What’s your next adventure?  Start planning now!