For any of you who follow my writings, I love and feel inspired by nature. So when my husband mentioned a desire to trek to the highest peak in Oklahoma, I did some additional research. The Black Mesa peak sits in the rural panhandle of my state, so very remote. I felt intrigued. This hike was not a simple feat, especially as we approach 60 years of age and not in the best of shape. Would we be able to complete the nearly nine-mile journey that gained over 800 feet in elevations?
The Feat
The day arrived, and we made the drive to the trailhead. We observed no others around as we took in the view. My heart raced with the thoughts of what lay ahead. We kept reminding ourselves that all we had to do is put one foot in front of the other. So we began. I noticed the sandy path we trod contained the imprints from the feet of those who went before us. I wondered if those prints reflected their success in the feat or disappointment. The more we walked through the barren land, the more I thought about these footprints in the sand and the path each took.
One thing that crossed my mind was Carolyn Joyce Carty’s poem titled “Footprints in the Sand.” This beautiful poem looks at the steps in life and the times the Lord carries us. And, boy, did I wish He would carry me now. But then my thoughts went in a different direction. Some tracks reflected the onward journey while others showed the return. What did the marks of these feet on this narrow dusty trail tell me about the journey of people who made them?
The Path
The trail to the top weaved and climbed through the sandy soil. Rocks and ruts forced us to concentrate on each step. One wrong placement of our feet would send us stumbling, just like our path through life. But, when I follow God’s ways, He promises to uphold me like in Psalm 17:5 (NIV); “My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not stumbled.” As we plodded along this narrow path to the peak, I realized that not many people made this journey. We never saw another person on the six-hour trip. And, like our faith walk, God explains the importance of not following others down the wrong path in life. Matthew 7:13 (NIV); “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.” Following the crowd may not lead us to Christ.
Feet Prints
Heavy rains or strong winds could wash away any record of our journey from the path. The tracks I saw could disappear at any moment. After our hike, we also visited a set of dinosaur tracks nearby. Do I leave behind permanent marks for others to follow? Does the path I follow in life leave a trail to eternity? God wants us to leave a legacy of faith for the generations to come, a route that will not get washed away. Psalm 78:6 (NIV); “so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children.”
Difficulties of the Feat
At times on the walk, I questioned whether or not I could continue. I think the task was more difficult than I expected. Steep inclines left me gasping. At each mile marker, a bench offered us a chance to rest. As we spotted them in the distance, the prize of an opportunity to rest beckoned us to keep going a little further. Sometimes, difficult times in life can feel this way too. Two verses can remind us where to find strength. Psalm 119:28 (NIV); “My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.” And. Isaiah 40:29 (NIV); “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”
The Feat Completed
We did it. The route took us almost six hours to complete. Tired and sore, we limped the final few steps to the car and collapsed into our seats. But, no pain or ache could dull the smiles and sense of accomplishment we felt. We congratulated each other and rewarded ourselves with a pizza for dinner. One day, we will complete our race on this planet. And, if we kept the faith, we can feel like Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:7 (NIV); “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” God will also reward us for our endurance as we see in James 1:12 (ESV); “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
The Summary
I loved the trial presented by this hike. I spent much of my time seeking God in the solitude and the difficulties of the journey. God, ever faithful, showed me new lessons and strengthened me. He related the path to my journey of faith. God reminded me of the importance of leaving a trail of faith for others to follow and one that can withstand the winds and rains of destruction. Finally, God taught me He would reward me for my endurance. Time spent alone with God will always give us a new perspective on life and faith. Keep looking for His message in the world around us.
“5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to make time to listen to Your teaching. Show me Your ways in life and help me stay the course. Thank you for walking this journey with us. I praise Your Holy Name. Amen.
Grace and Peace to you
Yvonne M. Morgan is a Christian author, blogger, and speaker.
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
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Cervantes wrote that the road is always better than the inn. We climb mountains of adversity–or take rocky paths–and triumph at their ends. Great post!
Thanks Nancy and this triumph was great just like our Savior. Grace and peace to you
Beautiful thoughts and words. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Craig. Grace and peace to you.
Love this! Growing our faith can take us on many journeys, some hard and some not so hard. Thank you for this inspirational message.
Thanks so much Melissa. The hike really reinforced this message. Grace and peace to you.
Thank you for this beautiful story of encouragement. Those hikes up rocky and daunting hills teach so much, and I love how you relayed that to those of us who are blessed to read your words. I didn’t realize how much I was in need of encouragement until I got all choked up over each thing you shared that you learned. Leaving a trail that others follow can be exhausting and overwhelming, but we’ve persevered for 43 years as parents.
Thank you for these reminders: “2 Timothy 4:7 (NIV); /I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.’ God will also reward us for our endurance as we see in James 1:12 (ESV); ‘Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.’”
Receiving that crown will be a blessing beyond anything we can imagine!
Wow Melinda. I am so glad God used the message to encourage you today. He blesses us in so many ways especially when we need it. Keep preserving until the day we reach glory. Grace and peace to you.
Beautiful post and words to live by. Congrats on completing the full hike and staying the course. 🙂
Thanks so much Shawn. I felt a sense of accomplishment for doing it. Grace and peace to you
I, too, get so inspired by nature. I love the challenges we experience when we take on things like this—mentally, spiritually, and physically. Great job on your accomplishment!! You inspire me!
Thanks Jessica. Even as I get older, I realize the importance of challenging myself physically and spiritually. Grace and peace to you.
Wow, Yvonne – I’m impressed by your perseverance and encouraged by the lessons you related from Scripture. You are a brave woman, both physically AND spiritually, and an encouragement to many!
Thanks Ava. Just trying to teach that with God, all things are really possible. I get my strength from Him. Grace and peace to you.
Yvonne, as I read your post, it brought back the memory of my husband’s and my 9 mile hike last summer. We gained quite a bit of elevation, and when we got to the lake we were hiking too, the view was stunning! What stood out to me on our hike was that some people were ill-prepared for the duration and steepness of the trail. I guess we see that in life too, don’t we? Sometimes we head into something, only to discover we didn’t bring the right tools.
I LOVED these questions (below). Thanks for giving me something to think about.
Does the path I follow in life leave a trail to eternity? God wants us to leave a legacy of faith for the generations to come, a route that will not get washed away.
I am glad you made the hike successfully too. We had prepared and taken all the things for “just in case.” But so often people to go on adventures while very unprepared.
I walk the path of life now with the best preparation too, and His name is Jesus. It is not a heavily traveled path but I do share it with others.
Thanks very much Jeanne. Grace and peace to you.
Great challenge. When I was younger I would have wanted to climb it too. Love nature and challenges. Great comparison with trials of life and our relationship with God.
Thanks Janice. Grace and peace to you