Staying the Course

This past weekend, a dear friend and I hiked one of my favorite local hikes - Hanging Lake. I’ve hiked this trail too many times to count, and the beauty awaiting you at the end of the trail has never ceased to amaze me.

Another thing that never ceases to amaze me is watching fellow hikers start up the trail, woefully ill-prepared for the hike ahead. I suppose the popularity of the trail has led some to believe that it’s a breeze to hike. But, while there is certainly more difficult terrain in the mountains, the hike to Hanging Lake should not be taken lightly.

There are sign posts at the trailhead that warn you of what gear you need, what to expect and how much water you need. But despite these warnings, I still see people attempt the trail in flip flops, without water bottles, or simply with shot confidence as they hit the midway point.

Every time I’ve done this hike, I make sure I pack the right boots, a snack, lots of water, yak tracks just in case and even have the world’s tiniest first aid kit on hand. But there’s another thing I have to do in order to successfully see the end of the trail.

I have to concentrate on where my feet are going.

As one prone to twisted ankles, I have to keep my head down to make sure the rocks my feet choose are secure. I need to be aware of snow and water to avoid slipping. I have to pay attention.

This is actually quite challenging because there are countless beautiful things around. Waterfalls to your right, a chipmunk to your left, and vistas that take your breath away. I am happy to stop for these things and admire them from an unmoving stance. But more times than not, if I try to take it in while on the move, my feet slip and I ungracefully lose my balance.

It often reminds me of our walk with the Lord. So many times, believers come to Christ thinking life will be a fully blessed breeze because we’ve heard how amazing he is and we’ve seen the joy and peace he’s brought to others. Surely it’s going to be one big cake walk!

But that’s not what the signposts of Scripture tell us. Yes, Christ is amazing. Yes, there is true joy and peace in fellowship with him. But the struggle is real. In many of his letters, Paul explains how to approach suffering and trials, not in the unlikely event that they will happen, but for when they do (Rom. 5:3-5, Rom. 8:17-18, 2 Corinthians 4:8). James explains the joy that should come when facing trials (James 1:2-4; 12). Peter tells us not to be surprised “as though something strange were happening to you” when hard times come our way (1 Peter 4:12-13). Of course, even our Savior tells us we will have trouble in this world. (John 16:33).

But regardless of how clear Scripture is on the fact that life will be difficult, so many of us start to doubt God’s goodness and the truth of his gospel when all we can see is how difficult the road is ahead.

But if we prepare for difficult road ahead, these “light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17). We must be diligent in where our steps are taking us. It only takes a few wrong steps to land in treacherous terrain off the designated path. Even the right steps can land on shaky or slippery rocks. But if we are prepared with the “right equipment” like an arsenal of verses memorized, thoughts constantly set on the Lord, and an ever growing relationship with him that helps us discern his will, then we are ready to face the harder sections of our walk.

But oh the distractions! Some of them are wonderful and good things like relationships, careers, life goals etc. But if we end up setting our sights on them, we are bound to lose our footing. Just like when we passed a series of waterfalls on the trail and rather than stopping and appreciating its beauty, I set my eyes on it and forgot to watch where I was stepping, and stumbled over tree roots. If we set our sights fully on a thing, idea, dream, person etc. even the best of them will fail us if our primary focus isn’t on the One who gives those blessings in the first place.

Of course, even if you are overly prepared, we still live in a fallen world, so chances are we may still slip. But with the “eternal glory” at the end in mind and the joy set before us, we rely of God’s strength to keep going.

When we made it through the steep, final last steps to the top of Hanging Lake, the former struggle was instantly forgotten as we arrived at the hard-fought destination and basked in the beauty. I just can’t help but get excited for the ultimate arrival to true Paradise.