Sunday, April 7, 2002
Sunday, April 7, 2002
For whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that
conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that
Jesus is the Son of God?
Mark Wellman, 29, and friend Mike Corbett started the day about 300 feet from the top of the
granite cliff, after spending the night tied into sleeping bags on Chicken-head Ledge.
The climbers were a day behind schedule. They began the grueling effort July 18 and had
been battling gusting wind and 90-degree heat.
Wellman, whose legs have been paralyzed since a 1982 fall from another Yosemite peak,
became the first paraplegic to make the vertical trek, doing 7,000 pull ups on ropes placed by
Corbett.
Wellman was hospitalized for seven months after his fall, but has since been as active as
possible, staying in shape with sports, such a kayaking, and directing the park's program for
disabled visitors.
His example raises the question, who's disabled? Mark Wellman's legs may not be too great,
but his spirit is that of a champion. We need to recognize that some folks face giant
adversaries but they do not give in.
Disciples of Jesus should be those who do not quit.
(1 John 4.4-5
NRSV)
We can turn defeat of the flesh into victory of the Spirit. There was a news item from
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California. It was about a young paraplegic who hauled himself
up 3,200-foot El Capitan mountain 6 inches at a time over nine days, using only his arms. He
wore a T-shirt reading "See you at the top."
Loving God, may I never lose my focus of victory in Jesus Christ. Amen.
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