Climbing the highest peak in his country had been his challenge! Now it had come to reality. Only 200 meters to the summit and the going was tough. Each step and each handhold had to be precisely placed. Any mistake could mean disaster or even death. The weather was good, but it could change at any time. The climber was in complete control of what he could do, but the mountain and the elements could also take control.

Life is sometimes like a mountain. It presents all sorts of opportunities and challenges. To successfully climb a mountain and to successfully go through life both require good planning. The climber applied advice given in Proverbs 16:17 ( The Message ): "Watch your step and save your life." And like the climber, we have to do that too.

The climber had to plan the route to follow and keep his eyes not only on the goal ahead, but also on every step along that path, so that he would reach his goal safely. Proverbs 4:26 tells us to do the same: "Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established." For us to reach the goal ahead of us, we have guidelines to follow. Proverbs 6:23 adds, "For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light; reproofs of instruction are the way of life."

The climber had to prepare carefully so that his equipment would not fail him. If our preparations are good, God promises to not fail us. Ephesians 6:11-13 says, "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all , to stand."

The climber can see the elements he struggles against, but our enemy, even though we know who it is, cannot be seen. To win against that enemy, we can prepare by wholeheartedly putting on the full armor of God.

In case of trouble the climber also needed to have a backup plan—information on how to deal with unexpected situations. In our lives unexpected events happen, and a way around them has to be found. Reading Proverbs can provide us with guidelines that help us deal with such things. These guidelines then become our backup plans that help us deal with the unexpected. They can smooth out that path before us so we will not step on unstable ground. Exodus 22 through 23 is another place where more guidelines may be found.

Our mountain of life can be climbed successfully if we follow the right path. "The road of right living bypasses evil, watch your step and save your life," says Proverbs 16:17 (The Message). VT