Some words are encouraging. “Steadfast” is one of those words for me. Rarely do we use this word. Committed, devoted, or dedicated are much more common in our day. In years gone by, my climbing goals were much different. Hard routes or boulder problems topped my “goal” list, but this time around, honestly, my goal is not to embarrass myself or my daughter.

On our first trip to Big Rock in Pickens, SC, Maddie was telling me the story of a trip to Big Rock for a photo shoot. She said that she and a classmate took a photographer out to get some climbing pictures for North Greenville University. She was telling this story as we are hiking up to the rock.

The trail jumps on you pretty fast at Big Rock. It’s not super steep at the trailhead, but it continually gets steeper as you go. My pride was the only thing that was allowing me to keep up with Maddie as we made our way up the trail. My legs, back, and lungs were screaming at me. It had been far too long since I had a load on my back in the woods. My muscles had atrophied, and my knees had stiffened up. I had become a “desk jockey.”

I was not only struggling to keep up, but I was also struggling to stay engaged with her story as my pack felt like it was connected to an anchor. She shared how slow the photographer hiked, and how he complained about the distance and the steepness of the trail. Without knowing it, she was describing me. I would have never complained out loud, but inside, I was ready to turn around and head for the car.

It was one of our first climbing trips, and I was already embarrassed. My mind was racing with thoughts like: How in the world are you going to be able to hike and climb for a month? How will you make it up those hills out west? How will you carry twice as much weight as you have in your pack now?

You sir are going to ruin your daughter’s senior trip.

At that moment, I knew that something had to change. Pounds had to be shed and muscle had to be built. I also knew that being in my 50’s, this wouldn’t be easy.

The picture at the top of this post was taken in Sinks Canyon, Wyoming in the early 2000s. I wasn’t in the best shape of my life then, but I was far younger and much stronger than I am today. I have used pictures of times gone by as encouragement for reaching my goals. In order for me to meet my main goal of not embarrassing myself or Maddie on this trip, I must be steadfast.

1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV84
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

My preferred translation uses “stand firm” whereas others use “steadfast.” As important as not embarrassing Maddie on this trip is to me, it is far more important that I am steadfast in my pursuit of serving King Jesus!

Because He Calls, Old Climbing Dad