The weather is finally warming up which means I get to do one of my favorite activities – hiking. I am blessed to live in an area with mountains, state parks, and easy access to the Appalachian Trail. So, the opportunities to hike are endless. And, lucky for me, several of my friends and my husband love to hike as well; I am never without a trail buddy.
Last week, I got to hike on Friday with my dear friend, Chris. It’s out first hike of the season so she picked a route that was flat and rolling. We keep a good pace and got in six miles on an unseasonably warm PA day (it should not be 82 degrees in April!). We spent two hours tucked under canopies of bright green blooms, sharing life, laughing, and just enjoying the rebirth of nature as we embrace spring and friendship.
Sunday afternoon, my husband and I embarked on another leg of the Appalachian Trail. Now, for those who know my husband, you know that he is not the best at reading topographical maps. It is a long-standing joke in our family that if you are hiking with him, be prepared to be mountain climbing. Sunday was no exception, except that he did warn me there was a serious climb in the five-mile hike; but I was up for the challenge. That serious climb resulted in a 1,002-foot elevation change! What felt like forever turned out to be only .57 miles of uphill. But it was seriously uphill. Rocks and roots jutted out making it a potentially deadly trek for someone of my limited grace. I figured at any given moment, I would stub my foot on a root and fall face forward onto a rock resulting in Jason having to call mountain rescue to get me out.
Fortunately, that didn’t happen. In fact, my husband did more foot stubbing than I did. It’s all about lifting your feet vs. dragging them. When your legs get fatigued, you tend to drag your feet. You don’t have the same energy as when you started out. The climb drains you and pushes your limits. Not just your physical limits, but your mental ones as well. As we are making this climb, amid the sound of my heavy breathing, I hear God say to me, “There is peace in the climb.” Now, I’m thinking, “Yeah, I’m goanna leave a piece of me in this climb!”
But He was so right. When I wasn’t focused on the difficulty of the path, I could embrace the beauty of the forest. I could soak in the clear, crisp air; even embrace the little bit of rain drizzle. I could notice the mountain laurel bloom and the tiny ferns pushing forth life amid the rocks and roots. I could see the future of the forest; the manifestation of spring, as I put one foot in front of the other.
Sometimes, life is a bucolic rolling stroll, allowing us to easily walk through our days. Little challenges aside, it is a peaceful, easy path. One that is easy to enjoy. One for which we too often forget to thank God.
And sometimes, life is a climb. Forcing us to step over rocks of financial, personal, professional hardship. To overcome roots of long-held trauma, scars, or hurt. And in the midst of the climb, we can feel so tired and defeated. Certain that we cannot possibly take another step. Dragging our feet rather than lifting our eyes to the One who walks with us in every situation. Psalm 16:8 tells us, “I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.” I love that some of the Lord’s most personal encounters occurred on paths. He met Paul on the Road to Damascus. He appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus after the resurrection. People often say, “Jesus will meet you where you are.” I think that minimizes the truth of Jesus: Jesus is with you wherever you are and wherever you are going.
On those arduous climbs, Jesus is with you. As you navigate the rocks and roots, He holds his hand out to steady you. When your lungs are heaving, He breathes strength into you. And when you finally make it to the top, He celebrates with you. And as you look back over the climb, He reminds you that with Him, you can achieve and overcome whatever lay in your path. For He has walked every path before you. He knows who you were created to be. He knows the mistakes you will make. He knows when you will drag your feet rather than lift your eyes to Him for help.
And knowing all that, He remains beside you and in you. When you take his hand, see through His eyes, and listen with His heart, you can find peace in the climb. And learn that Jesus is the best trail buddy.
This week, I encourage you to trust God in every situation. Thank Him for the gently rolling moments and trust him in the climb.
This week’s accompanying prayer can be found at: https://simplyjoy.online/prayers/trust/let-me-find-peace-in-the-climb/