Keep Going!

trail up Cascade Mountain
Summer 2017

See that granite?

Looks insurmountable doesn't it?  at least to some people it does.  But for those of us who love hiking in the High Peaks region of the Adirondack Mountains, this is just another climb.  Steeper than some and not as steep as others.

Why do we climb this?  Why do we get down, heavy pack on our back, hiking pole in one hand that needs to then get collapsed, and crawl up this path?  Why do we risk falls, scrapes, cuts and bug bites?  WHY??

Because of this:

from the summit of Cascade Mountain
4,098 feet high
36th highest mountain in NYS.

You see, it's kind of like our spiritual journey....this climbing up mountains that are sometimes so daunting we don't know if we will ever get there.  

But we do....we keep plodding along, or crawling, or rock hopping and pretty soon...that summit is within reach.  Just a few more steps.

Mady my niece just before the final stretch up the summit!

Sometimes there are obstacles we have to go around.

Perhaps it is a broken relationship or a family member who we perceive is causing division yet he or she is hurting and we don't know the root...the reason why...we just know they are lashing out and perhaps this makes us lash out too because we are caught in the moment....we are caught like the sinful humans we are and because the enemy gets a foothold in our thought patterns and all of a sudden we don't know where or if  God is in it....is He caring?  Does He see? Why won't He answer our prayers?  or perhaps it is a sickness or financial burden or addicted child or dying parent.

  No matter what the situation, Jesus is still with us and God is still good.  But if we don't allow God to comfort us, to lead us, to show us the way around these obstacles, we will not know the joy and freedom He has for us.  We need to stop hanging on to the obstacles and just keep going.....go around them, go through them...but KEEP GOING!

Yes, we all face obstacles along this walk...this spiritual and physical journey.  Yet.....our faith should not be based on feelings....but rather...our feelings are based on faith.

We can have joy in the journey....just like Mady and I had such joy the day of this hike...that inner peace that brings such joy to our souls......you can have joy and still be faced with obstacles.  You can have joy and still be dealing with that horrible hurtful feeling.  But...whatever you do, don't rehash the situation. Rather, give your hurts over to the One who will never leave you nor forsake you. Tell God you are hurting!  He can take it!!  He died the most painful death ever...just for us.  And because of it, we can know true Love, Joy, Peace.  Joy comes when we have peace.  And we won't have peace if we are clinging to those hurts.....those obstacles.

God walks with us every step of the way. When we refuse to let Satan get a foothold in our thoughts, minds and souls, God's Love and care will flow into us.....share with Him your hurting soul....He wants to surround you with His joy.  It is a mindful, intentional thing.  He sings over us, He loves on us, He cares for us.  He won't let us wander around and around not knowing which way to turn.  He is our guide...the One who leads us if we allow it. 

Just like we had to follow a marked trail and keep going, one step at a time, so too do we need to keep moving forward in our spiritual walk.  Satan would love for us to stumble.  He would love for us to fall.  He does not want to see us victorious!  But we will be when we cling to the One who is the Victory! 

In a devotional I was reading this past month, this quote jumped out at me:

"the true test of a believer's faith is whether they will continue to strive and stand for God when faced with opposition and adversity"

When you are faced with obstacles...with trials...with hurts and disappointments, are you still going to walk with God and know that He is there for you or are you going to moan and groan and be negative so that your joy and peace disappear?

When you feel like the way is tough.....just keep going....