The Sleeping Giant rises over 1,000 feet from sea level. Looking west from Kapaa on the Island of Kauai this majestic mountain looms over the community as an iconic symbol of the island’s storied past.
The trail up is demanding. Over the course of 2 miles hikers switch back and forth up the mountainside until they weave their way from the feet of the giant, across his chest and up to his neck. The views afforded on the journey up are fabulous. The picnic site located at the giant’s neck provides a satisfying end point for the majority of travelers.
However, the truly adventurous make the “off trail” climb up to his chin.
The chin of the giant is where the money shot is. This rocky precipice affords the courageous climber a 360 degree view of the east coast of Kauai: both the Mauka (mountainside) and the Makai (ocean side). Surrounded by life-ending cliffs on 3 sides the final scramble up the chin certainly tests your courage.
It is truly adrenalizing.
Anyone who climbs to the top of the chin of the Sleeping Giant has to get a picture to prove their conquest, and to capture the incredible grandeur of this spectacular corner of the globe.
It was on the approach to the Giant’s chin that our encounter happened. In 1985 young and spry Dave and Anne MacLean climbed the Sleeping Giant on their honeymoon. Thirty years later we were back with our sons to relive the experience. The chin was a little crowded this day.
We were third in line to get up on the chin for our photo shoot. There was a group of young people who had monopolized the chin for a lengthy period of time when we arrived. The group of 3 plus a dog had been waiting patiently for their turn, but had not said anything to the young people. They were just waiting there.
I came up behind them and asked if they were waiting to climb up to the chin. They indicated they were, but the young people had been there quite a long time.
“Hey, could you please make some room for these people who want to get up there for a photo.” I called up to the young people.
“No problem.”, they replied and began to climb down for the group in front of us.
I asked the group of 3 if they wanted me to take a photo of them. They said they would appreciate that. I pointed out where they could stand to get the best scenic shot behind them with the sun still on their faces. I also told them I would put them in the left side of the frame so the photo would display the spectacularly expansive ocean view.
After I handed them back their camera so they could see the photo and give me a thumbs up or thumbs down, one to them said something I have never heard before,
“I love how assertive you are man!”
What he said really got me thinking. He was basically thanking me for being assertive – it helped them get what they were looking for.
I began to think of what Paul said to Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:7:
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
We are not meant to be timid. We are created to be bold and assertive in life and leadership. To be assertive is to be confident, assured, decisive and bold.
Timidity is diametrically opposed to who we are meant to be in Jesus. We are created, crafted and called to be bold as lions, to be confident and assured in Christ.
Two things will keep us from being assertive and confident in Christ: Sin and Ignorance. The enemy will always leverage our sin to keep us in guilt and shame and out of faith and courage. Ignorance of the Truth of who we are in Christ will always keep us living a small timid life.
Men, we are meant to be assertive and confident in Christ in every aspect of our lives. Let’s be committed to walk in awareness of and obedience to the Truth. May our assertiveness serve others to help them find the life God has for them
Proverbs 28:1
“The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.”
2 Corinthians 2:12
“Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.”
Psalm 27:3
“Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.”