In the last 5 years or so I have beenvisiting Kota Kinabalu at least once a year and during each visit, I have been trying to arrange to climb Mount Kinabalu. However, each time the venue seemed to be fully booked. The opening came last week when I was in KK for the Unleashed! Sports Convention. Finally,  an opportunity to climb the highest mountain in the region. 
Well, I honestly did not know what to expect at all. Talk to 10 people about the climb and you will have 10 different stories as to the experience and intensity of the climb. So, I just took it easy. With my sports background I did not think it would be too difficult although I expected it to be challenging. However, there was one thing that I was a little fearful of - altitude sickness! This was something that we can not prepare for and there is nothing that you can do about it if it hits you. Other than that, everything was cool.
So, on the first day of the climb, we decided to take it easy as much as we can. I must say that it was not as simple as it was portrayed but we managed. "The second day is the killer" is the general concensus of the people that we talked to. Reaching Laban Rata was a relief and to be able to rest and prepare for the next day was most welcoming. However, it was at Laban Rata that my head started spinning a little. The air was thin and altitude sickness seemed to be creaping in. Eat enough, and rest well for the next day was the plan. And that was what we did.
Waking up early the next morning and getting ready for the real climb was exciting. We had already walked 6km and another 2.7km should be something that we could endure. However, that 2.7km seemed more challenging than expected. Starting the journey at 2.30am did not help the situation as it was cold and the air was thin. Throughout the climb I was panting for lack of oxygen. My brains seem to be constantly telling my body to shut down and go to sleep. Many times I caught myself dozing off for a split second before jumping up and reminding myself  to keep going. Physically I was alright but it was the lack of oxygen that took a toll on me. This was something that I could not prepare for no matter what I did.
Looking back two things come to mind. Firstly, the grace and protection of God. He was with me all the time throughout the climb. Many times when I felt like falling asleep, I believe that it was God who kept me awake and kept me from rolling off the mountain because of my slumber. He is there to sustain us even when we don't realise it.
More importantly, the climb taught me that there are some things that we can prepare for and others that we just need to embrace and trust God to take us through. There was nothing I could have done to prepare me for the altitude sickness. Somethings in life will hit us and there is nothing that we can do to prepare for it. In fact, when it comes we will just have to take it by the horns. It is then that we know that we are not able and we need to trust God fully to see us through. The climb in our lives will be challenging, it will be filled with surprises, and there will even be things that we will not be prepared for. We just need to trust in God at all times throughout the climb.
Where are we in the climb of our lives? How much do we depend on the Maker?
Yes, we made it to the top! The view - a sight to behold. The glory and splendour of completing the climb. The reward - not something physical (except for the certificate) but one that will be embeded in our memories, emotions, and even our spirit. Thus, the rewards when we finish the climb of our lives will be undescribeable! Let us let go and let God take control and do His thing in our lives.