“It is a crest of granite… perfectly inaccessible, being probably the only one of the prominent points about the Yosemite which never has been, and never will be, trodden my human foot.” — California Geological Survey report about Half Dome, 1865.
It is the iconic symbol of Yosemite National Park. It is the inspiration for The North Face Logo. It is imprinted on the back of the California version of the quarter. And, to me, Half Dome will always be a reminder that nothing is impossible with God.
There is such a sense of accomplishment when you do something someone once said was impossible. About a decade after Half Dome was declared an impossible climb by the “experts,” someone was standing on its summit. Now, about 50,000 people per year take the 17 ½ mile round trip to the top and back. This is a story about how God turned this physical test of endurance into my own personal testimony that the words of Isaiah still offer access to supernatural stamina to us all today. “He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall. But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:29-31)
This summer, my son, Grant, and I joined the ranks of those who had stood atop this grand granite guardian of the Yosemite Valley. Grant turned 21 about a month earlier, and he had picked Yosemite as one of our main stops on our annual father/son adventure birthday trip. He also decided that we should hike up Half Dome while we were there. I knew Half Dome would be a hard hike. It was longer than any hike we had ever done (over twice as long). It had an elevation gain of approximately 4800 feet (about 50% more than we had ever done). If the distance and elevation gain were not enough, there was also the daunting task of taking on the infamous Half Dome cables – found on the final 400 feet of the ascent at more than a 50 degree angle. This, would, no doubt, stretch me, challenge me, and take me outside my comfort zone – something that God uses Grant to do to me regularly.
However, the distance, elevation gain, and perilous approach were not the things which made me question whether I could conquer Half Dome. It was leg cramps. After we had hiked approximately 7 ¾ miles, with still about a mile to go to the summit, I started having cramps in my quadriceps. It was probably a combination of the nerve damage I have in my left leg from an old herniated disc, a lot of sweating, and the strain of the ascent. I had experienced a few bouts with leg cramps in the past, usually when I had been involved in marathon tennis matches. I knew the best treatment was rest and hydration. I could do something about the hydration, but the rest could not last long because we still had many miles to go. It was at that point I began to wonder if this was possible.
Have you ever considered the difference between “Impossible” and “Possible?” Two little letters – “I” and “m” – transform “possible” into “impossible.” I think this gives us a clue as to what makes the difference in our ability to accomplish a difficult undertaking and our inability to accomplish it. I’m the difference. I’m the one who believes it can or cannot be done. Henry Ford said, “Whether you believe you can do a thing or not, you are right.” We are the limiting factor. Dr. John Maxwell has said, ”Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.” And I would like to add, nothing is impossible.
However, even with belief you must still have ability. What do you do when your frail flesh begins to fail you? You pray. You pray fervently and you pray frequently. The evening before this hike, Grant and I had been listening to songs from a Kari Jobe CD as we drove from the 32 mile route from the Yosemite Valley up to Glacier Point. The lyrics from “Healer,” echoed in my spirit and became my “breath prayer” – my constant confession – as I continued my cramp-hampered climb of Half Dome. “I believe You’re my Healer, I believe You are all I need…(chorus) “Nothing is impossible for You, nothing is impossible…”
I prayed that God would let me finish…and finish strong. I prayed that He would help me to mount up on eagles wings, and that I would not faint. I prayed He would strengthen me and give me the stamina to finish. I prayed that God will give me a Spirit-filled second wind. I know Grant joined me in prayer about this. Prayer is a meeting of partners. It is our opportunity to stand in the presence of the God of unlimited power, wisdom, and love, and have Him share His unlimited resources with us. When Paul prayed for the removal of the thorn in his flesh, the reply of Jesus was, “’My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is make perfect in weakness’” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Where my weakness begins, God’s strength will take over, if we are willing to ask. We can all be encouraged by recognizing, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
A little over an hour after the leg cramps started we were standing on top of Half Dome. God had granted me the strength and stamina to attain the goal. It was a hike I will always remember. The lesson I learned will last a lifetime. “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). The Half Dome hike will always be a reminder to me that nothing is impossible with God. I know that there are things that I will face in the future which will require me to recall this mountain top moment.
A.W. Tozer once said, “God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible – what a pity that we plan only the things we can do by ourselves.” When we have faith only in what we can do by ourselves, we limit our potential. I know that I will never look at a seemingly impossible situation the same way again. When my own weakness, powerlessness, and shortcomings tempt me to say, “No way,” I can call on God to supply what is missing, and say, “Way.”
Earlier it was stated, “I’m the difference.” Our unbelief is a limiting factor, but so is our limited ability. We must believe before we can achieve, but we must believe God will supply what we lack. So, it is more accurate to say I’M the difference. The invisible I AM makes all the difference – turning IMpossible into possible (Exodus 3:14). The next time someone tells you the thing God has called you to do is impossible, quickly correct them. Nothing is IMpossible with God.
