Last summer my family went for a hike to the Amud Stream in Northern Israel. The trail began with a steep, winding path that was completely strewn with large rocks. It was impossible to walk without watching every step. As we descended into a deep gorge, we could hear the sound of flowing waters rising and the chirping of birds in the trees. I was frustrated a bit, however, because I could not look around me to enjoy the scenery as I walked. I had to look down at my feet every step to keep from stumbling on a stone and falling on my face. But once we got to the bottom of the gorge, a refreshing stream under a canopy of shady trees awaited us. I sat on a boulder and dangled my feet in the cool waters—a nice reward to revive my body and spirit before we had to start hiking back up the steep trail again. This time too, there were no shortcuts or easy paths. We had to climb, climb, climb until we ascended out of the gorge. We had a fun day, but were so glad to get back to the top of that trail and arrive safely home.
Sometimes living for God is like a steep hike on a rocky path. Proverbs 4:25-27 says,
“Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or the left; remove your foot from evil.”
Life is filled with obstacles and temptations and snares that the enemy lays in our way. We must be vigilant to keep our eyes focused on our walk and not on the scenery of the world’s enticements around us or we might fall on our faces. It is so easy to stumble EVEN when we are watching where we are going! It takes effort to guard our spiritual eyes and not get distracted by television, movies, music, games, the Internet and other things that do not honor God or His Word. We are bombarded by pitfalls every day and must keep our eyes always focused on Him. And when we do, the Lord brings us to times of refreshing and revives our spirit. It is during these quiet times of prayer that we can sit in the shadow of His wings and drink living water from His springs until we are ready to get back on the long, steep, winding trail to Heaven that is awaiting us at the top of this journey. This reminds me of what our Lord Himself said in Matthew 7:13-14,
“Enter by the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
Don’t give up! God knows it’s hard. But He is right there walking with you. He is a branch you can hold on to get you up the rough climb. He is like a walking stick to keep you balanced and supported. And when you get to the top, there is a wonderful reward awaiting you—a heavenly home so bright and fair. Be encouraged in your walk of faith today!