The Greater Joy of Shared Victories
Written by Debby Baril
Arriving at the base camp after a 4-hour drive, excitement coursed through our veins as we began our ascent to Point Lenana, 16,000 feet high, on Mount Kenya. Our first hours were filled with laughter and discoveries. Day 2, we fell into a rhythm, conserving as much energy as possible for the 9-hour hike ahead of us. The terrain became monotonous and sparse, and life was simply about putting one foot in front of the other. The higher we ascended, the thinner the air became, and the slower I moved. I fell in behind the group, my lungs burning and my heart aching from the exertion.
That evening, as I looked up at the peak which disappeared into the clouds, the almost perpendicular trail, my heart filled with dread, and I whispered, “I’ll never make it; I can’t do this!” My two friends flanked me on either side, “We’ll stick with you, no matter how many stops you need, and no matter how long it takes.”
Our wake-up call came at 2:00 am and by 3:00 am we began the ascent, hoping to arrive for sunrise. The group was quickly gaining ground as I was losing it, altitude sickness setting in. True to their word, one friend stayed behind me shouldering the small backpack that had become too heavy of a burden for me, the other in front guiding. Climb 10 steps, rest, climb 10 steps, rest. Soon 2 of the flashlights gave out, and the 3rd was barely giving any light. Tears threatened to spill over; I was on the verge of giving up. Our guide came back for us, and with a pat on the back and an encouraging word we were on our way again, and yes, you guessed it – we made it! The exhilaration of victory far outweighed the physical exhaustion of the ascent.
While many were climbing steadily and quickly, reaching the peak, and understandably rejoicing over their victory, there was one left behind struggling to make it. My friends delayed their mountaintop experience so that I could reach mine, making their joy more complete because we made it together.
In the midst of our victories, it’s important to remember there are those who are struggling, stumbling, barely able to get one foot in front of the other, and we are called to help and encourage them.
Galatians 6:2 exhorts us to, “carry each other’s burdens and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” It was such a small act, but my friend shouldering my small backpack for me was huge. Sometimes the smallest act of kindness can make all the difference on someone’s journey.
The words spoken by my friends and the guide spurred me on and helped me conquer the most physically demanding feat I have ever attempted. They enabled me to do what I thought I could not do and go beyond what I imagined were my limitations. The power of encouragement can be the difference between victory and defeat. Proverbs 18:21 reminds us that, “death and life are in the power of the tongue”.
Is there someone that needs you to shoulder some of their burden; who needs a word in due season to spur them on beyond what they thought was possible? Your mountaintop experience might be delayed, but the joy you will experience in reaching it together will far outweigh any victory you achieve alone.
