As you know, living in Utah provides many opportunities for adventure. So, a few weeks ago, my kids and I went on a little hike up to one of the reservoirs near our house. AllTrails told us the hike covered about a mile and a half round-trip. However, we decided to step it up a notch. We went around the reservoir on a lightly used trail. Looking back, I’m pretty sure it was just a game trail.
We came to the river, and we pressed on.
The path got a bit narrower, and we pressed on.
Then the path started to get muddy, and we pressed on.
Finally, the path got extremely muddy, but we pressed on.
Before we knew it, we were using sticks and rocks to keep out of the mud. Cutting up to the real trail or turning around was always an option. We were never in danger, but we wanted to keep going for the adventure of it. Knowing the mud had to end at some point gave us hope.
We could have had a bad attitude about slogging through the mud. Instead, we chose to stay enthusiastic and keep a good attitude. Eventually, we got to dry ground and joined all the other hikers. We were the only ones who had mud all over us. Equally important, we were also the only hikers smiling from ear to ear.
Of course, we could have taken the regular trail. That would have still been fun. But we took the path less traveled, the narrow path. The muddy path. We knew we were safe, and we knew the mud was temporary. The memories we made and the spirit of adventure will last the rest of our lives.
The Narrow Path
Being a Christian, taking the narrow path (Matthew 7:14), means sometimes we’ll need to press through the mud. And we’ll have messy, dirty situations. Also, we will have to choose to trust God, keep a good attitude, and “Take heart!” The hand of the Almighty God will keep us safe. We will have to hold onto the hope that the “mud” will end soon.
Christians, we will get dirty, and we’ll probably even get some cuts and bruises. At the same time, we will need to take heart. Jesus tells us, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV)
And like Joshua, He will replace our filthy clothes with clothes of righteousness, “Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.” Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you.” Zechariah 3:3-4 (NIV)
In the grand scheme of things, we’ll be the ones walking out of the canyon into eternity smiling from ear to ear because of the adventure God gave us on Earth. Even more is the anticipation of spending eternity worshiping Him in all His glory.
Still smiling,
Posted in A Word from the Pastor