Vegas is a strange dichotomy when it comes to what you can see here. We have universities, places of worship, and a ski resort, but most people think only of the casinos, strip clubs, and vast stretches of barren desert. Most of the people drawn here that I meet seem to be among the ilk that think that image matters more than substance and they live accordingly. I know lots of students who have personal trainers, plastic surgeons, fancy cars, and both bodies and lives that evoke the envy of most onlookers. I also know because I'm older that most of this is either artificial or because they were born lucky. Five years from now, they might be fat, poor, and even homeless, because those who follow the devil's commandments in sin city quickly find that he doth quickly drag them down to hell.
Up on the shoulder of the mountain just below Mummy's Head peak there is a tree I visit often as a reminder of what really matters. Rain Tree, a bristlecone pine that marks the intersection of the North Loop and Mummy's Head Peak trails, clocks in at over 3000 years old, which makes it one of the oldest trees in North America. The next oldest tree in the near vicinity appears to be not more than 500 years old, meaning that Rain Tree has watched many other trees come and go, and it also means it's very possible that most of the bristlecone pines nearby are his descendants. Despite the winds that almost always blow and the frigid temperatures, despite the storms and rockslides, despite fires and even the knives used by men to carve initials in his trunk, this tree persists. Rain Tree is not one of the prettiest trees ever; in fact, bristlecone pines aren't really all that pretty as far as conifers go, but it has staying power. Through all the challenges and vicissitudes of fate, it's still there.
I'm not among the prettiest, smartest, wealthiest, most popular or most powerful people on the planet. However, I am one of the most persistent. Despite the daggers shoved into my back by people who come into my life, I'm still here. Despite the storms of office politics, political intrigue, and even dissonance in my own Faith, I'm still here. Despite being given the cold shoulder by virtually every woman I've ever met in my life, despite the fires of temptation and disappointment, despite setbacks and the discovery that I made right decisions based on bad information I'm still there. I'm not the prettiest of trees or the one with the best plumage or foliage or root system, but I'm still here. Where else would I go? Who else should I be? Like Rain Tree, I have trusted all of my life in God's providence, and even though I'll never be an underwear model or an Olympian, I'm still doing what I like and living life the best I can where I stand.
One of my kayak partners is a woman in her 50s. She regularly participates in triathlons, mountain bike treks, and river adventures in her kayak. You can tell if you look at her face (mostly I think due to exposure) that she is 50, but when we went out Friday night on the lake to watch the sun set, you couldn't tell from her muscles or her body that she was that old. She continues to do what she can where she can to be the best person she can be, and that shows too. I could only be so lucky to find someone to marry who will still be smart, active, and good company when she's 50. No woman yet even lasted a year or two, but I digress. Like Rain Tree, she has staying power. She's not one of the prettiest, but her inner abilities make her good company, and we enjoy going out when occasion allows. I think she also enjoys my company because I'm not going with her with an ulterior motive. Sure, I get to use her extra kayak for free, but I'm not constantly hitting on her like the other guy is who is 62.
Many people are born lucky. Some are born with great genes, great fortunes, or great abilities. We celebrate and laud the prodigy because they inspire us. They also overshadow the valiant and diligent efforts of others to achieve despite obstacles. Eventually however, the ones with staying power are the only ones who remain. Consider the actors like Tim Curry and Mark Hamil who thrilled us in our youth who have not aged well. Consider the athletes who squandered all of their wealth. Consider that Amy Winehouse despite her talent some say drank herself to death at a young age. You probably know someone who was able to eat whatever they wanted when they were young and still looked drop dead gorgeous, someone who always seemed to get the best deals or jobs, and someone who seems to have the perfect family. Most of those are not enjoying that anymore. It's easy to look sharp when you haven't had to do any work. It's easy to keep your armor shiny when you never have to test it. However, when put to the test, I don't think being a member of the Lucky Sperm Club makes you more likely to succeed. It just makes you more likely to be chosen.
I like to visit Rain Tree because I relate to the tree. I'm not top shelf, but I'm still there, being me, doing what I do, and trying to be the best man I can be. I'm still looking up to God, standing in Holy places, and rising above the din and sin of Sin City. I go to the mountain because that's where God used to visit His people, and because it's hard. I hiked those trails with pretty and petty and prodigious people; skinny people quickly find that even if they go to the gym or are fit that it doesn't necessarily prepare them to hike a mountain.
Despite all of the things that happen up there, Rain Tree is still there. It brings to mind the words of an old familiar scripture: "Remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." Winds and storms will come, but if you are build on the rock, that rock on which the wise man built his house, you CANNOT fall (emphasis added). I'm still here, because when I was young I built a relationship with God and His Christ. People seem to respect that, and then, as I have frequently and often opined, they reject me because of the particular Faith to which I belong. I'm still here. If I were not of God, with God, interested in God, and reliant on God, I would not still stand. Eventually the devil drags down his disciples.
My hiking buddy told me yesterday that he thinks I'm better than I was when I met him. I'm not sure I agree carte blanch, but I am in better shape both physically and financially than I ever have been, and sometimes I even agree that I look better than ever. More to the point, I'm still here. When the storms rage, I don't abandon God; I turn towards Him. I know most people use disappointments and challenges like this as an excuse to change congregations, to change Faith, to lose faith, and sometimes to abandon God to their baser natures. I feel more like Peter who said, "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life." Where else would I go? I built my life on this Rock, and I will succeed or die trying.
Sometimes I find my own lack of faith disturbing, but I think God knows my heart. I'm still here. I may not be the best, the smartest, the prettiest, or the most able, but I am still available. I'm still here, and I will go and do whatever He asks as well as I am able. Discipleship is akin to discipline, and I spent most of my life establishing that so that I could be like Rain Tree and stand strong in the storms of life. Five years from now, I'll still be here. You might not like who I am, what I believe, or what I'm doing, but you'll how to find me, and you'll know how you'll find me when you get there.
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