Free-Soloing

By Anna Kozyutynskyi

Recently, the Lord opened an opportunity for me to live in Hidalgo, Mexico, and partner in a coffee shop ministry. El Buho Café is adjacent to a world-famous rock climbing destination, the infamous El Potrero Chico (above). Those of us working in the coffee shop met rock climbers from all over the world and shared our testimonies and the love of Jesus, all while financially supporting a nearby village school.

During this unforgettable time, I learned a great deal about rock climbing. The sport is inherently dangerous. Climbing smart is a must. While suspended hundreds of feet in the air, reliable gear and a reliable partner are crucial to hold you securely to the wall. Potrero Chico has some massive climbing routes. The tallest cliff face in the park is 2,300 feet. To put that into perspective, the Empire State Building is only 1,454 feet from bottom to tippity-top.

Now, imagine a wall nearly a thousand feet taller than the one in Potrero Chico: El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. A famous climber named Alex Honnold climbed it in 2017 with no gear, no safety precautions, and no partner. During his ascent, it literally was Alex, the rock, a chalk bag, and thousands of feet beneath him. One wrong move and he was doneso. Just crazy sauce!

A National Geographic documentary followed Honnold’s harrowing four-hour ascent and the years of preparation that went into the climb. The resulting film won an Academy Award and became the highest grossing National Geographic documentary of all time.

This popular and fast-growing sport is called free soloing. And if it sounds terrifying, it is. The eventual death rate for free-solo climbers has been estimated to be as high as 80-90%. They may climb safely for years, but one slip can be fatal.

‘‘I can do it myself.’’

Why in the world would anyone ever think that? Though I have never tried free solo climbing, I often walk through life with a free solo attitude. I try to free solo through to-do lists, struggles with sin, past hurts and failures, future decisions, sadness, and pain. Like a free solo climber, I think, “I've got this. I can do it on my own.”

Catch this. The success rate of trying to free solo through life is zero. God knows this. From the beginning, He created us to walk in community, sharing our struggles, temptations, and blessings, encouraging one another along the way. He has given us His safety manual, the Bible, to guide us in His routes of righteousness. He even promises to equip us with safety gear—His armor—to protect us from our own evil desires and the constant attacks of the enemy. As Christians, the best news is we are never alone. He has given us the great Comforter, His Spirit, to lead and guide every step of the way.

Our culture encourages a self-reliant, do-it-yourself mindset, but this toddler-like attitude only leaves us isolated, anxious, struggling, and lonely. Why? When we try to do things on our own, we push away the crucial help offered by God and others. And when we push away these helping hands, we suffer.

We especially find God’s help in three areas. First, God’s love is the only love that can truly and eternally fill us. He loves us greater, deeper, and stronger than anyone or anything else ever can. He is the only One who can fill the God-sized hole in our hearts.

Second, our worth is found in God alone. He created us, is our perfect Father, and sees us as treasured children. He is the only One who provides true and eternal worth.

Third, God is our authority. Every action should be in obedience to Him. When I have a do-it-myself attitude, I view myself as my own boss to decide what is right and wrong. This attitude is so dangerous. Only God is perfect. Only His instructions are perfect. Only His love is perfect. Only God has the perfect plan for our lives.

Do you ever find yourself “looking for love in all the wrong places”? Have you tried to create your own sense of worth? Do you seek your own desires over what God wants for you? I struggle with this, too. You are not alone in the fight against a free solo attitude. But free soloing through life leaves you exposed to danger and loneliness. In contrast, walking with God and leaning on His grace bring the greatest freedom. The joy and peace that comes from leaning into God rather than relying on self are worth the surrender.

In addition to harming our relationship with God, free soloing can also destroy relationships with other people. It sometimes results in a spirit of rebellion towards authority. At all ages, but especially in our younger years, an attitude of disobedience and defiance creates a slippery slope to destruction.

Free soloing also can produce a spirit of unforgiveness. Everyone has a different story. Some are deeply wounded by abuse while others were betrayed by a loved one, broken by addiction, abandoned by a family member, or faced with the heartache of divorce. Even if you do not find yourself in one of these situations, everyone experiences deep hurts needing forgiveness and healing. Free soloing leads to bitterness, but forgiveness leads to freedom.

Free soloing isolates us from true friendship. We desperately need close friends in our lives with whom we can share our struggles with sin, pray, and reveal deepest secrets. Often, these friends are found in the Christian family, but free soloing also isolates us from the church. This is especially dangerous because our Christian family is meant to encourage us and hold us accountable.

So, find a mentor. Meet regularly. Share what is on your heart.

This requires openness, vulnerability. Free soloing keeps us from this blessing. When we allow ourselves to be open with trusted mentors and friends, we can experience the beauty of what it truly means to walk in community within our church.

Finally, free soloing isolates us from ministry opportunities. It is selfish; it keeps the focus on self when there’s a whole world out there aching with needs and desires only Jesus can fill. We have an amazing opportunity to serve others and point people to Jesus. It’s time to stop free soloing and return to living in community with those the Lord has placed in our lives.

According to popular rock climbing website 99boulders.com, approximately 250 climbers have fallen to their deaths since Alex Honnold conquered El Capitan in 2017. The sport of climbing is dangerous enough, but trying to free solo through life also can be deadly. Don’t become another statistic!

About the Author: Anna (Forlines) Kozyutynskyi lives in Nashville with her husband, Vlady, and they recently welcomed a baby boy. She enjoys nature and outdoor activities like hiking and rock climbing. Her passion is to share the importance of openness and freedom that can only be found in Jesus. Read more from Anna at wnac.org.