A New Summit

American climber Alex Honnold reached a new summit this week when he climbed the Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taiwan without a harness or rope. The climb was live-streamed on Netflix and took a little more than 90 minutes. Honnold said the wind was a complicating factor near the top of his climb, and after a brief selfie from the top spire, he rappelled to a deck near the top where he was greeted by his wife.

Analysis and eternal perspective: The absence of ropes, harnesses, or any other climbing aids adds to both the danger and the intrigue of “free soloing.” One false move can mean disaster, and this reality rightly dissuades nearly everyone from attempting such a feat. While it is obviously an incredibly impressive achievement, it goes without saying that you and I should never even contemplate replicating it.

In a similar fashion, you and I are foolish when we “free solo” in life. This endeavor of following Jesus was never meant to be taken on without the support and encouragement of fellow believers. Galatians 6:2 instructs us to, “Carry each other’s burdens,” and Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 reminds us that, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”

Burdens in life are meant to be shared. So are significant accomplishments—new summits reached, so to speak. We are to, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (Rom. 12:15).

So as you consider the skyscrapers of your life, are you attempting to “free solo?” Or are you intentionally leaning on the support of your fellow Jesus followers? Conversely, to whom are you providing support? Too often, we think of following Jesus as an individual endeavor. It is not. Scripture is clear that each person must individually yield (Rom. 10:9), but we are meant to walk—and climb—together!