Some days I feel confused about where I am going on my faith journey and I have learned that this is not merely something I experience, but many people often feel the same way at some point. I have begun to look at my walk with God like a hike and thought I would share this metaphor with you.
You begin your hike very excited for the adventure that awaits you and maybe you start off quickly and eager. All of the flowers you pass are blooming, it a beautiful day and your water bottles are still cold in your backpack. You are full of much energy and excitement.
As your hike progresses you start to grow tired and are sweaty and are starting to get sunburnt. Maybe you want to stop or give up. The day is no longer sunny, and you see clouds rolling in. You may have lost your trail and are starting to feel lost. But often at this point you stubble upon other hikers who give you some encouragement and motivation and you keep trekking. You might have to slow down. You might have to do a little backtracking or many, many switchback to make it only a few vertical feet. But you are not giving up. You are still on the mountain.
When you grow especially weary remember to look up and see the beautiful shining sun or breathe in the refreshing mountain air and gain inspiration to keep going. This is when you know that there is something more than just your legs carrying you up the steep and rocky terrain. This is when you need a reminder that God is always with you,
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any posers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God this is in Christ Jesus our Lord” Romans 8:38-39 NIV
Remember that the coolest part about your faith journey, about your hike, is that there is no right way. Every hiker before you, with you and behind you has made their own path up the mountain. Created their own trail. At different points on everyone’s hike people hit rough spots or particular beautiful spots. So whether right now you feel stuck in a thunderstorm or if you have found a picturesque overlook that you never want to leave know that God is with you every step of the way.
-Leah