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| photo via presscluboftibet.org |
On May 11, 2006 David, who is loosely affiliated with an expedition outfit, but is essentially climbing alone, sets out from Base Camp to realize his goal. Three days later, several climbers encounter Sharp at 1 a.m. at approximately 27,560 feet. Sharp sits down and unclips from the fixed rope to let the group pass. Ten hours later, this same team has already summitted and descended to the top of a rock band known as the Third Step, just 490 vertical feet below Everest’s peak. David has made little progress toward the peak.
The next morning at 1 a.m. another set of climbers pass David, who is now sitting with his arms wrapped around his knees. He is alive but has no oxygen in his tank, his nose is black, and ice crystals have formed on his closed eyelashes. The team continues on. About twenty minutes later another group discovers him but he is apparently recovered enough to wave them off. In all, more than 30 climbers will pass by David Sharp today.
The following day more climbers stop, and then keep moving past David. One group tries to pour hot water down his throat, another administers oxygen, one drags him into a patch of sunlight, while others never even noticed him.
The next morning David Sharp is dead.
Two tracks of questions come to mind. The first one is, are you going at it alone? If so, why? You need to find people to climb with.
Second, in accomplishing your life’s dream, or even just your goals for the day, do you stop to notice the people who are in need around you? Or when you do notice someone who needs an encouraging word or a listening ear, do you offer it to them or do you just keep going?
The Bible is filled with stories of Jesus going out of his way to help others. He is our ultimate example of a leader. Let’s take the time to lay down our rights to ourselves and our agendas and be sensitive to the needs of those around us.
