134-Not All Biceps Are Created Equal...

The swing doors on the bus flung open just in time for the 5 guys to hop on, closing promptly behind them to fend off the Michigan spring day that felt more like Santa was coming than May flowers.  There was a bit of a buzz in the air this week from last week.  It’s week two, and the guys are getting more comfortable with each other and me, I thought.  And we have Gio, built for human interaction.  Riding on the wave of enthusiasm that lingered while we waited to leave the school and head to Milford for more climbing, I began to show them the importance of building the different muscle groups required to climb harder routes.  We continued our discussion enroute, gently bumping up and down with the seams in the concrete on US 23, passing around different grip training tools. 

This group of eighth grade boys talked more about what they wanted to do this week.  One in particular shared how he started looking up ‘How to climb’ videos on YouTube and had lots of commentary around the content that he consumed.  “I’m still trying to figure out how to manage my strength when I’m climbing on an overhanging route” he regurgitated from one of the many videos that he’d seen.  Picking up on the climber lingo and desperately desiring to be that guy that effortlessly clings to the rock, muscles bare and exposing the well-defined tendons on his lean physique; he went on… “I think I’m getting stronger.  Last year I didn’t have this muscle,” pulling up a sleeve to show me the bulges forming on his arms.  What do you say to that?  “That’s awesome,” I responded with an excitement right along with him.

The passion continued to pour out once we got to the gym and refreshed our hard skills by tying a retrace figure eight knot, well dressed with a back-up.  While some of the guys were working on the basics, he was confirming with me that he had indeed dressed the knot properly, proud of his efforts and ability to retain new skills.  “Nailed it!” I said, feeling the internal warmth from his excitement to be a part of this group. After the consumption of fried chicken and potato wedges, he jumped back in full force to learn the art of belaying, then offered to help his peers with the movements needed to effectively hold the brake rope in a good position. 

Some of us (I fully place myself in this category), like to hear ourselves talk, watch ourselves do something awesome, or share our experiences with others.  I did this very thing when showing the guys some of the strength it’ll take to climb… they were impressed, my ego maintained, and the world continues to revolve.  My point is this, some of us have been made this way and we’re still learning the art of humility, but in the midst of our excitement to show the world what we are learning or how we are growing, there is a beautiful picture at play.  I wonder how Adam reacted to the discovery of each part of just living life?  Was he surprised at the flavor of fresh fruit?  Did he try to impress Eve or himself with feats of strength?  Was he thinking about the very idea that he existed and wonder about the existence of God Himself?  I believe God was pretty excited with Adam as he explored the garden and tasted the world’s first marriage relationship.  Why should it be any different now?  I’m filled with joy seeing this young man embrace new knot-tying skills, engaging in a new sport uncommon in inner city regions, setting new goals for himself, and embracing the adventure that this climbing club offers in the coming months.   What are you embracing?  Maybe it’s not a new anything, but an old thing that needs a new perspective.  Whatever the case, let’s embrace the joys that we have today and share our excitement with the world—as humbly as a young man flexing his biceps!

-Matt