Last year, my family and I had the opportunity to go on an RV trip. It was quite an experience. We were fortunate to go with another family who were well versed in the art of RVing. They basically planned everything out, and we just tagged along.
We rented a rather large RV to accommodate both of our families. After a somewhat harrowing drive up to Oklahoma, we stayed at a small state park The camp site was beautiful. The weather was perfect. We enjoyed being unplugged and submerged in nature for a few days.
Our hike on the last day was on a trail called ‘The Devil’s Slide’. The name alone causes images to pop into your mind. It was a steep, slippery climb up a winding pathway. We were basically climbing up a slippery rock, and at many points during the journey, we were slowly crawling on our hands and knees. Slipping down from this site would be painful, but certainly not life threatening. We traversed in a slow, single file line, checking on each other with each step.
When we finally made it to the top, the view was stunning. Green trees everywhere. The sky was so blue. Not a building or man made thing in site- just you, God and his fabulous creation. We were tired and covered in dirt, but enjoyed a few minutes to soak it all in.
The view from the top is always breathtaking, but the climb up is always a struggle.
Isn’t that how life is, though? We dread the struggle, but we love the pay off. I don’t want the hardships, but I want the good things that come from it. I will do the work, but only to a point- and then I want God to just fix all the things for me.
Our reading in Ephesians gave me energy this week. Ephesians 3:16-19 says “… that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
Our struggles are meant to strengthen us. We physically get a work out when we are climbing up the mountain, but our spiritual man gets a work out every time things don’t go “our way”. Our struggles are meant to build our faith- to deepen our roots in Him. Our roots spread to find new levels of water and nutrients for our soul. When we are able to stand and see what God has brought us through, we have a glimpse into His absolute love for us.
So I am here to tell you, don’t give up. Even if it means crawling on your hands and knees- don’t give up! Keep climbing! Keep grasping! You’re almost at the top and it will be worth the climb.
~Shiney
