Today’s Scripture Passage:
Colossians 1:3-20
Key Verse:
We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, Colossians 1:11 (NLT)
George and I hiked the Hawksbill Loop Trail last Friday. It’s not overly long and the elevation changes are not extreme, but plenty of challenge for us. We’d been walking a while when we came upon a sign I’d not seen posted on any of our previous hikes.
Have you every wondered about the “why” behind an instruction? Well, we didn’t have to go much further up the trail before we understood the reason for this sign.
The path ahead was all rocks!
I had to pick my way across a rock only surface. It was the only way forward. The rocks rose up the mountain to my left, and the rocks dropped down the mountain to my right.
I was about halfway across the first portion of the 300 yard “Off-trail use prohibited” section when I began to realize the precariousness of my position.
The reality of what could happen if I lost my footing flashed through my mind.
I’ll state the obvious; we didn’t fall.
In fact, we even enjoyed a bit of silly fun as we pressed on toward the summit.
It’s a Hollow Tree!
Or is it a Holy Tree?
Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.
Barb Peeking At George 
George Peeking At Barb
The rewards for our efforts and perseverance were great.
Not only did we enjoy some beautiful views, but completing the trail brought with it an unbelievable sense of satisfaction and confidence.
View from Bird’s Nest just a half mile below the Summit 
Hawksbill Summit 
Hawksbill Summit
Okay, let’s switch gears a minute and take a look at our friends’ hike.
They hiked the Dark Hollow and Rose River Loop Trail the Monday before our Friday hike. It’s another SNP trail, but it’s a MUCH more difficult trail to hike. It’s twice as long, and the elevation changes are three times those of the trail we hiked.
Kim wrote, “It was misty and foggy going in, and the name, Dark Hollow Falls, made it even more fun.”
Kim honestly shared the hardship of traversing the wet, slippery, and very steep downhill trail to the falls. Her desire for it to be over grew as her strength and stamina was challenged.
She and Jeff enjoyed being together and seeing the beauty of multiple waterfalls up close and personal.
SNP Dark Hollow & Rose River Loop Trail on September 28, 2020
As Kim and I emailed one another about our hikes, I kept thinking about the differences in us and in the paths we hiked. The more I thought about it, the more I felt the LORD pressing me to understand, learn, and apply those lessons to my daily walk with Him and others. So here are some of the things I learned…
My path will be different than yours; your path will be different than mine.
The length will vary according to the number of days the LORD gives us.
We’ll meet different people and may even walk with some of the same people more than once in a lifetime.
The pains and heartaches we endure may be similar, but they will impact, influence and inspire us differently.
Our challenges will most definitely be more than we can handle alone; each will require us to trust Jesus. Trust Him to equip us with everything we need and lead us safely to our trail’s end.
We can be sure we’ll grow weary. We may even consider giving up, but
When we press on…
Our trust in Jesus grows as we witness His faithfulness all along the way.
We learn to recognize His presence and His goodness right smack dab in the middle of the hardest places of our lives.
We gain strength, stamina, and steadfastness of spirit.
We learn to be gracious with ourselves and others.
We understand and we acknowledge our unique personalities and physical characteristics create different places of struggle for each of us, even when facing similar circumstances.
We genuinely celebrate the accomplishments and success of others.
And, we tell the story of the trail we’ve traveled with Jesus. We encourage others to be Jesus-followers too; no matter where He leads them and without looking back.
LORD, we’re so thankful to be citizens of Your Kingdom. We’re thank You for the privilege of being your representative in the foreign land we live in now. Help us to grow in our relationship with You, so we will represent You well. Give us compassion and courage and teach us to love those around us as You love them. We want to love as citizens of Heavens and not citizens of this world!
Digging Deeper:
Matthew 11:28-30, Ephesians 2:1-10, Philippians 3:13-15
If you have not yet met Jesus, you can meet Him today. He created you. He loves you. He wants you to be a part of His family. I encourage you to step into the life He created you to live. You will still have the troubles of this world, but you will no longer be facing them alone. I’m praying for you! https://peacewithgod.net/mobile/?utm_source=Microsoft&utm_medium=CPC&utm_term=HowToGoToHeaven&utm_campaign=USPWGMobileSearchMic
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.