A couple months ago, I flew up to northern Maine to visit my grandparents for a couple weeks. This was also where we used to live, so I got to see many old friends as well. It was definitely a blessing to see everyone, and spend time with my grandparents!
Mt. Katahdin, the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, is located within an hour and a half of my grandparents' house. We have hiked in Baxter State Park many times before, but this time I wanted to hike Knife's Edge.
This section of the trail is 1.1 mi long, and is right on the top of the mountain, with thousand foot drops on either side. I had wanted to hike this trail for several years, but had never done it. While I was visiting my grandparents, I decided that this was my only chance to do it, and I decided that I was going to hike it. Even if I had to do it alone. (I tried to find some hiking companions, but no one was available at the time.)
My grandma reserved a lean-to "cabin" at a campground in the park, and we stayed there for a couple nights. Early in the morning, I started off on my hike. 10 miles and many hours later, I walked tiredly, and yet triumphantly back to my grandparents car. I had done it.
But while climbing, I learned lessons. Lessons of trust. Lessons of beauty. Lessons in faith. Lessons in prayer.
I didn't hike alone. Jesus and the angels hiked with me. The lesson and blessings gained from this experience, I wouldn't trade for anything.
But the thought that I am holding onto right now is this. The view from the top of the mountain was spectacular. Nothing could obstruct my view of the changing leaves on the trees far below. The great blue sky. The ponds and lakes glittering in the sunshine.
True, the hike was long and grueling. For several hours, I didn't have any spectacular views to enjoy. It wasn't easy. But when you get up on the mountaintop. You see the beauty. The long hike was worth it.
Friends, the same is true for us in our daily walks of life. We are hiking a mountain. Many mountains, in fact. Sometimes every day is a mountain to climb. The climb isn't easy. It isn't painless. But isn't the unobstructed view when we reach the top worth it? When we can clearly see how the Lord has led us, and we can see His goodness without obstruction.
The path may be long. It may be rough. And sometimes you might even stumble. But Jesus will hike with you, and give you the strength. And when you reach the top, you will praise Him. Because He is good. He is beautiful.
And then. When you hike back down into the valley from the mountaintop again, treasure the mountain top experiences. Treasure the memories. Review the past. "We have nothing to fear for the future, except we forget how the Lord has led us in the past." - E.G.W Another mountaintop experience will come if you keep climbing. The valleys don't last forever.
My grandma reserved a lean-to "cabin" at a campground in the park, and we stayed there for a couple nights. Early in the morning, I started off on my hike. 10 miles and many hours later, I walked tiredly, and yet triumphantly back to my grandparents car. I had done it.
But while climbing, I learned lessons. Lessons of trust. Lessons of beauty. Lessons in faith. Lessons in prayer.
I didn't hike alone. Jesus and the angels hiked with me. The lesson and blessings gained from this experience, I wouldn't trade for anything.
But the thought that I am holding onto right now is this. The view from the top of the mountain was spectacular. Nothing could obstruct my view of the changing leaves on the trees far below. The great blue sky. The ponds and lakes glittering in the sunshine.
True, the hike was long and grueling. For several hours, I didn't have any spectacular views to enjoy. It wasn't easy. But when you get up on the mountaintop. You see the beauty. The long hike was worth it.
Friends, the same is true for us in our daily walks of life. We are hiking a mountain. Many mountains, in fact. Sometimes every day is a mountain to climb. The climb isn't easy. It isn't painless. But isn't the unobstructed view when we reach the top worth it? When we can clearly see how the Lord has led us, and we can see His goodness without obstruction.
The path may be long. It may be rough. And sometimes you might even stumble. But Jesus will hike with you, and give you the strength. And when you reach the top, you will praise Him. Because He is good. He is beautiful.
And then. When you hike back down into the valley from the mountaintop again, treasure the mountain top experiences. Treasure the memories. Review the past. "We have nothing to fear for the future, except we forget how the Lord has led us in the past." - E.G.W Another mountaintop experience will come if you keep climbing. The valleys don't last forever.
God is beautiful.
Every upward step is worth the sweat, the pain, the tears.
So keep climbing those mountains. And when you have those unobstructed views of Him, share them with others. It might just give them the courage to hike those mountains too, and gain those experiences for themselves.
So keep climbing those mountains. And when you have those unobstructed views of Him, share them with others. It might just give them the courage to hike those mountains too, and gain those experiences for themselves.
Keep climbing!
No comments:
Post a Comment