Hike in Faith

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Ephesians 6:10

My husband and I went on a trip to Estes Park, Colorado—just the two of us. (So thankful for grandparents eager to watch our children!) It was an incredible time. 

The natural beauty of Colorado astounds me and points to a Higher Power. There was trace evidence of God all around—the colorful assortment of wildflowers and the way they dance in the breeze, the rushing river producing the most enjoyable melody, the wild elk grazing in fields without a worry in the world. The rugged beauty of Colorado highlights the glory of God’s creation. If God wove such intricate detail into a single wildflower, then I cannot imagine the care he took in creating you and me and our children. He certainly cares about every minor detail of our lives.

Sometimes the struggles of motherhood are more like molehills than mountains. Our issues may not be major, but they crop up so frequently that it can be exhausting. Temper tantrums, obedience issues, sharing issues, heart issues, being overwhelmed with laundry, and the never-ending stream of dishes that gather in the sink. 

Motherhood is not for the faint of heart. But when we grow weary, we have the Lord to lean on and be our strength. Ephesians 6:10 encourages us to be strong in the Lord in the strength of His might. Let’s rely on God’s power and not our own. In motherhood and in life, let the Lord go before you and lead the way. Green pastures and quiet streams are the place he has for us. It might require trekking some rocky terrain to get there. But ultimately, the Lord is strengthening our faith muscles along the way. 

When my husband and I were on our trip, we did many hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. While hiking, a few thoughts came to mind about how to hike in faith:

• Do what is right, even when it’s hard.

• Prepare for the trail. Absorb the Living Water of God’s Word.

• It’s not about getting there. Enjoy the sights and scenes along the way!

  
  

We were made to praise. We were created to enjoy life and live for Jesus. Let’s strive to walk humbly, in obedience to God each day. Let’s stay hydrated and absorb the Living Water of God’s Word so that we can trickle his grace unto our families. Lastly, it is not about getting to the lush pasture or reaching the peaceful streams, it is about growing closer to God and establishing a dependence on the Shepherd, learning to recognize His voice.

Let’s hike in faith, even through the rocky terrain of life. God’s got good plans for us that he has prepared in advance (Ephesians 2:10). Just because something feels hard does not mean it is not fruitful. Hard can be good. Hard can prepare us for new adventures that take us to the most glorious places. 

Every season in life is situated for our good, for God’s glory (Rom. 8:28). That is something we can dwell on. It is a promise that we can cling to when the trail gets tough. We can carry this truth in our hiking packs: God is for us. God is with us. He goes before us. Jesus hikes beside us—all of our days. He can show us the way and be our strength when we follow after him in faith.

Dear God, 

Thank you for the beauty of your creation. Thank you for the wildflowers of the field and their example to us of what it looks like to not worry and to thrive wherever we have been planted. God, I pray for this kind of faith to come alive in me. I do believe! Help me unbelief. In Jesus’ sacred name, amen.