One of the great benefits of working at Compassion, and with my team especially, is that annually we are encouraged to set aside a day with the Lord to recharge spiritually. This year, as in the past, I decided to go for a hike, and as is usual, it turned into an adventure. Upon reflection, I was able to see a number of parallels to life and even things I am currently experiencing.Going in Reverse - "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62) As in life, when hiking, the objective is typically to continue forward motion. However, about a mile and a half into the trail I reached down to see what time it was and realized that I had somewhere dropped my cell phone. Back down the trail I went; nearly a mile, before finding it laying on the ground where it had fallen. Hiking back up the mile you had now seen twice is not the most gratifying of experiences. The same is true spiritually. As we walk with the Lord there are things in our lives that we lay aside as we grow; old habits, tendencies, and attitudes. However, sometimes, without even realizing it, we decide to turn back and pick those things up again, and when we do we realize that we are back down the trail and in need of climbing back up to where we turned back.
Beware of Shortcuts/Patience/and Signs - There is a rare quality in some to get lost no matter how good their maps and how clearly posted the trail. I am one of those rare breeds, and without fail, I found myself way out in the wilderness, miles off course. I should have known better, and did know better, but still thought that I knew better, if you know what I mean. Although the map clearly spelled it out, my eyes and mind were sure that I was right in choosing a quick traverse on the trail that would get me where I wanted to go. It didn't. Patience is a wonderful thing, though not a strong gift of mine. You see, there was a sign, and it did tell me the truth. I simply ignored the sign and didn't take the time to stop and read it. Then, instead of waiting to find the next sign, I saw a trail that HAD to be the trail I was looking for. Again, it wasn't. Spiritually this is so true. God has clearly laid out the path in His word. However, unless we take the time to read it, to follow it, and to patiently wait for His gentle nudging by the Spirit to turn to the right or to the left we can so easily find ourselves way of course, out in the wilderness and off the trail that He had set before us.
Encounters on the Journey - It is no surprise that we are not alone on our journey through life, the interesting part is simply the folks we meet along the way. There are those nice, though slighty rough in appearance folks, that are a bit off the trail but smart enough to realize their mistake early and return to it. Then there are those that are way off the trail and sailing along as if they could careless as to their predicament and hellbent on staying that way. There are those on the trail that are curious as to what it is like off the trail but smart enough to ask and then remain on the trail (I should be more like these folks). Then there was the "bird lady." I'm not sure how to spiritualize a lady wandering with a large bird on her shoulder and so won't.
Lessons Learned - Hiking is a strenuous endeavor when we wander farther than we should. Maintaining the trail, following the signs, and encouraging others along the way can be very enjoyable and rewarding. Finally, it's good to slow down every once in a while to take time to reflect, pray, and ensure that trail you are on is the right one and the one the God would have you on.
Lessons Learned - Hiking is a strenuous endeavor when we wander farther than we should. Maintaining the trail, following the signs, and encouraging others along the way can be very enjoyable and rewarding. Finally, it's good to slow down every once in a while to take time to reflect, pray, and ensure that trail you are on is the right one and the one the God would have you on.
