By Chip Luter

Jul 22, 2002

Wow! Wow! Wow! That's all I can say about July 15.

I can't believe that I went rock climbing in Yosemite -- especially since I can't stand heights. When the TruthQuest team rappelled off a 30-foot high rock, it took me forever to get down.

After I finally returned to the ground, I thought our adventure was over. However, North American Mission Board missionary Steve Hughes told us that we should conquer a bigger rock to have a better feeling.

At that point I said that I was not doing anymore climbing for the day. Once was enough for me. At the small rock I wasn't able to practice climbing like everyone else, so my first official climbing before I could rappel was on a rock that was more than 130 feet tall.

I really love my fellow TruthQuesters for praying for me before I went up because they saw how nervous I was. Their support really encouraged me to conquer my fear of heights. I have the biggest fear of heights and I always like to be close to the ground, so doing something like this was really different. Climbing up the mountain, there were times I wanted to give up and forget about the climb, but I knew I couldn't.

Anyway, while climbing that rock I could think of no one but God. When I felt like giving up I prayed to God and I started to quote Scriptures like, "No weapon formed against me shall prosper," "I'm more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ." I was determined to get to the top. Well, it took me a while but I made it, and boy was the view gorgeous.

Being up at the top of that rock and looking down at what I just climbed was an incredible feeling, but I still had to go down. I didn't want to rappel down it after I looked down, but I knew I wouldn't forgive myself if I climbed up but didn't complete the package.

So I went back down, and when I touched bottom I thanked God because if God hadn't given me the strength to conquer that I wouldn't have made it.

My faith has been increased so much because of this experience. Since I conquered this obstacle in life, I know that I can do anything if I put my mind to it and give my fear to the Lord Jesus Christ.

God really showed me what he could do once I stopped being afraid and put my trust in him to get me out of whatever I go through.

Whenever I face anything now, I can always look back on July 15 and remember what God did, and it will give me confidence to face the trial and conquer it.