Beyond the Peak
In our journey of faith, it’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that the best is behind us. We may look back at past successes, relationships, or experiences and long for a time that felt simpler or more fulfilling. But in doing so, we risk elevating those moments to the level of idol worship, placing them in the place where only God belongs.
Just as a climber can be deceived by a false summit—thinking they’ve reached the peak only to discover there’s more to climb—so too can we be deceived by the nostalgic memories of our past, believing they represent our highest point. But God calls us to press on, to trust that there are greater heights ahead in Him.
“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
— Philippians 3:13-14
In this verse, Paul encourages us to not be held captive by the false summits of our past but to press forward toward the prize God has for us. Focusing the memories of the past only hinders our ability to embrace the fullness of the future He has prepared for us.
The concept of “false summits” in climbing is a compelling metaphor for the spiritual journey. Climbers, upon reaching what they believe to be the summit, often discover that it is not the true peak but a false one, a deceptive rise in the terrain that suggests completion but ultimately points to more challenges ahead. This experience can be a powerful reflection of the human pursuit of spiritual growth.
As a climber becomes familiar with false summits, they learn to manage expectations and cultivate perseverance. Similarly, in the Christian life, we may encounter moments where we feel we’ve reached spiritual maturity or fulfillment, only to find that the journey continues, deeper and more profound than before. These moments can be disorienting or frustrating, yet they can also foster a deeper trust in God’s ongoing work in us, and they compel us to lean into the grace that sustains us through each stage of the climb.
The key, perhaps, is to view these false summits not as failures, but as opportunities for growth, understanding, and deeper reliance on God. The climber learns that the journey itself is where transformation occurs, not simply in the moments of apparent arrival. So, too, does the believer find that their faith is not merely about reaching a destination but about being continually shaped by the process of following Christ, moment by moment, summit after summit.
In the end, our journey of faith is not defined by the peaks we have reached but by the continual pursuit of the One who is higher than all our hopes and past experiences. Like a climber who learns to embrace the challenge of each false summit, we are called to press on, trusting that God has greater heights for us to attain in Him. The false idols of our past can deceive us into thinking we’ve already reached the best of what God has for us, but true spiritual growth comes from the willingness to keep moving forward, letting go of what is behind, and straining toward the prize that awaits us.
When we use the past as our measurement or judgment, thinking that the heights we once reached are the standard for the present or future, we fall into the trap of focusing on a false summit. This mentality limits us, causing us to judge our worth, faith, or capacity by moments that have already passed. But God is always calling us to something more—greater growth and deeper intimacy with Him.
As we press forward, we must also learn the power of forgiveness, both of others and ourselves. Forgiving parents, family, friends, and even ourselves is a crucial part of this journey. Holding on to past hurts or regrets can trap us in false summits, preventing us from embracing the fullness of the present and the future God has for us. Forgiveness does not erase the past, but it frees us from its power, allowing us to move forward in freedom and peace.
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
— Ephesians 4:31-32
Let us not idolize the past as our measurement, but rather lean into the grace of God, forgiving ourselves and others as He has forgiven us. In doing so, we open ourselves to the continuous ascent of faith, where each moment of growth leads us to new and deeper experiences of His love, purpose, and freedom.
