I need a sherpa.   A sherpa is the person who gets paid to guide hopeful climbers up Mt. Everest without slipping falling and never-being-heard-from-again.  They know the mountain!  They know what to do and what not to do.  They know the common mistakes people make that will get them killed.  Sherpas know the way to complete the climb and live to tell about it.  I'd like to have that. 

Life is so messy, filled with pitfalls, surprises right around the corner, and uncertainties.  I need a sherpa for life.  Where do I turn when problems rise?  Where do I go when people offend, confuse, hurt, reject me?  How do I gain answers to the tough questions?  How do I know what life is even all about?

How do I think of the people who look, think, act, smell and are different from me? 

"Love your neighbor as yourself."  Matthew 22:39

How do I love my neighbor when they seem to just make things harder for me?

"Love your enemies…do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil." Luke 6:35

What is life even about, really?  I've always thought that I should make success my top priority and make sure I have all the stuff I want.  Is that right?

"Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness." Matthew 6:33

What are the things God is really concerned about?  I just don't think he cares that much about iPods and Wii, Starbucks and sushi.  Does he? 

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." Romans 14:17

How do I know what path to choose?  How do I know what will make me the most fulfilled?  How do I even know if I'm being fulfilled by the right things?   Life is so confusing sometimes!

"Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105)

So many questions in life, and Jesus has given so many good answers.  Life is a climb.  Jesus, please be my sherpa and help me to ascend.

"The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward."  Psalm 19:7-11