Making the Top, But Missing the Point

"People may spend their whole lives climbing the ladder of success only to find, once they reach the top, that the ladder is leaning against the wrong wall".  -Thomas Merton

This profound observation captures the heart of humanity’s modern pursuit of success.  We climb, we strive, we achieve.  However, without careful reflection, we might find ourselves at the top of a ladder that leads to nowhere meaningful.  His point is to make your climb count.

Born to Climb

People are built to climb.  In 1923, the British mountaineer, George Mallory, when asked why he wanted to climb Mount Everest, said, "Because it’s there."  The urge to climb is in all of us.  We are naturally inclined to seek something higher, to ascend, to rise above.  It’s what drives us in our careers, in our relationships, in our personal goals.  We all tend to start climbing what is in front of us.  But the question becomes, ‘What are we climbing toward?’  What happens if our ladder of success is leaning on the wrong wall?  To make your climb count, you must first pick the right wall.

The Walls of the World

Today we are surrounded by the walls of the world.  They are all around us, erected by society,  promoting what the world views as success.  We are told these are the walls ‘we’ve always wanted’, and to go after them.—The walls of wealth, power, pleasure, and recognition.  The danger of climbing these walls is we may achieve the top without fulfilling the deeper purpose of life.  We may get to the peak, but have no peace.  Jesus gave us plenty of guidance on what’s truly worth pursuing.  Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  Where is your treasure?  Where is your heart?  Luke 12:15 warns: “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”  What wall are you climbing?  What’s the next rung you hope to attain?

The Wall of the Word

Not all walls are the same.  One wall is set apart, the wall of the Word.  It tells us where to set our sights.  Colossians 3:1-2 reminds us to focus on what truly matters: “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”  This is easier said than done, since we live here.  Don’t worry, God won’t leave you hanging.  Matthew 6:31-33 “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.  But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”  Don’t hastily climb the walls of the world at the expense of your soul.  Jesus said in Mark 8:36, “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”

Choosing the Right Wall

Only one wall will yield true success for your efforts.  You will end up losing everything from the walls of the world.  Jim Elliot, a Christian missionary, said “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”  Jesus tried to illustrate this point with His Parable of the Rich Fool.  Luke 12:16-21 “And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’  And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.  And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’  But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’  So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”  Doesn’t that sound like American retirement?  What are you doing with your barns?  What are you doing with your goods?   

Conclusion

So, let’s do a ladder check.  What wall am I leaning my ladder against?  Is it against the weak walls of the world?  Am I chasing success in a world that leaves me empty at the top?  Or is it leaning against the rock solid wall of the Word?  True success comes from aligning our climb with God’s eternal purpose.  Only then can we be assured that our efforts are not wasted.  Don’t settle for climbing toward temporary rewards.  Don’t wait until you reach the top to find out whether your climb was worthwhile or not.  Climb with eternity in mind, and make your climb count.  Now, onward and upward!  Philippians 3:14  “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”