The Altitude of God
How wonderful and incredible it is to see the world from the ‘altitude’ of God.
At 11:30 a.m. on May 29, 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, became the first team to summit Mount Everest. The highest point on earth, referred to as the rooftop of the world, towers at 29,032’. They saw what no human eyes had ever seen before, a stunning view of the enormity of God’s creation from the most unique observation point on earth.
To try to comprehend how incredible that is, consider Colorado’s tallest mountain, Mount Albert, at 14,440'. Take Mt. Albert x 2, and you’d be slightly taller than K2, the second tallest mountain in the world, but still shorter than Everest.
Ponder also that commercial flights generally have a maximum cruising altitude of between 31,000’ to 39,000’, just a little above Everest, to give you a feel for the jaw-dropping height of this nearly 5.5 mile high mountain.
To reach the summit of Everest is considered one of the most difficult of all human achievements. An accomplishment only possible after weeks of preparation to acclimate to extremely thin air, treacherous winds, subfreezing temperatures, the most difficult terrain imaginable, the help of guides, the use of highly specialized equipment including oxygen masks, and pushing the human body perilously close to its limits.
Even in 2021, it still remains one of the most difficult places to reach on our planet. Best I can tell, between 5000 - 6000 people have been to the top since 1953, and over 300 have died in the attempt.
This past week I’ve watched countless videos and read everything I could read about it. To see the best video I came across, go to youtube and type in, Everest - the summit climb, for an amazing 4+ minute video to give you a feel for what it’s like at 29,000+ feet. BTW, in the video, keep in mind they are walking at the absolute top of a ridge with 1000’s of feet of drop off on each side, and when they reach all the flags, they are at the top. (The picture I used for this post comes from the video.)
As formidable and magnificent as it is to reach the top of Everest, it is much more difficult and glorious to see the world from a much higher place, from the altitude of God. Although the astoundingly high altitude of 29,000’ provides unearthly views, to see the world from the perspective of God, we have to go on a much more extreme journey.
A trek impossible for mortals, yet just like the video clip provided by someone who summited Everest, scripture opens a vista that only heaven can provide. Isaiah 40: 22 states, "He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in."
In my first article about Isaiah 40 on 9/28, I addressed how small and insignificant we are. In this 10th post, we flip the telescope in the opposite direction, looking down, from where “God sits above the circle of the earth." When we do so, we not only see the enormity of creation, but by contrast are welcomed to take in the immenseness of God.
God is enormous, overwhelming, and dwells in high and lofty splendor. From his altitude, He stretches out the heavens, like a tent to live in. Are you kidding me? To us, Everest is ‘our rooftop,' but to God, the stars of the universe are his.
To see the world from the altitude of God is both a reminder that He alone can make sense of every aspect of life and also an invitation from Him to glimpse reality through the ‘Hubble space telescope’ of his eyes, that are untethered by the limits of earth.
Take also a moment to enjoy one of my favorite songs from long ago, to help you wonder at the amazingness of God. Type in the words, - when I look to the mountains Randy Stonehill 1984 - , and enjoy the beautiful song.
Dear brother or sister in Christ, and friend along life’s journey, as you start a new week, amidst challenges and opportunities, join me, to take time to be encouraged by how wonderful and incredible it is to see the world from the ‘altitude’ of God.