Last year, my husband and I went hiking on the Appalachian Trail. We've jumped on and off different parts of the trail for the past 21 years, but on this trip, we were on the Benton McKaye Trail. We were at the trail head near Springer Mountain. The Benton McKaye Trail is a footpath about 300 miles long. It traverses through the Appalachian Mountains into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.We were on a day trip, so we'd only cover about 7 to 10 miles that day, but we were excited.
We started out casually walking and talking about our plans for the week. Staying in a nearby cabin, we wanted to make the most of our vacation stay. The trail wound through the trees and we noticed a change as the path grew steeper. As we walked, we also noticed the forest seemed to grow more dense with heavy moss and deep green vines. Our breathing intensified as the trail got progressively more difficult. The path was no longer easy and smooth. Now it was rocky and covered with exposed roots from nearby trees. The roots and rocks made walking difficult. It was no longer easy to talk to each other face to face. We found it necessary to constantly look down at our feet to keep from tripping. The path became steeper and steeper. At one point, I had to lean forward and grasp onto some of the roots to pull myself up the hill. While the roots keep us tripping forward, I was also thankful for the ones that provided natural handholds.
I haven't been hiking in many months now because of my health issues. I miss it. Every day I sit at my computer looking out my window into the woods surrounding our house and I long to be out on a trail. Thinking about trails, hiking, and camping made me realize that sometimes, the bumps are what you have to climb on. Without the rocks and roots, my husband and I wouldn't have been able to make it up the vertical incline through the woods. As I thought about how the obstacles helped us continue on our journey, I began to think about my health. My journey with Breast Cancer started off slow and steady. First came the diagnosis and tests, then came surgery. As the path twists and turns, I'm learning to take one step at a time. I'm finding I have to step over some obstacles and grab onto my faith a little harder.
This morning, as I was reading my Bible, I found several passages that spoke to me. These verses tell me not to be surprised when I face trials in my life because the trials, allowed by God, have come to teach and test. They have also come to produce perseverance. Just like hiking on a trail, despite rocks and roots, takes me to my destination; trials in my life, though difficult and challenging, change me into the person God wants me to be.
Often when we hike, I love hunting waterfalls. Deep in the woods, in the middle of a path, it's hard to see what's around the next bend. I can usually hear the rushing waters long before we reach the waterfall, but I know it's somewhere ahead of me. Sometimes my ears trick me and make me think the waterfall is closer than it really is, but I just have to keep on walking and trusting that as I stay on the path, I'll reach my destination. It's the same way with my cancer journey. I know there's some reason God has allowed me to travel this path. I know there's something beneficial for me in it and even though I can't see it, I have to keep on walking through it. I have to climb over the rocks and roots. I have to use them to take me higher. My path is filled with ups and downs, twists and turns, rocks and roots, but I am determined to just keep putting one foot in front of the other. God hasn't promised to remove the stones from my path, but He does promise to make them into stepping stones instead of stumbling blocks.
One day, I'll have learned what He wants me to learn and I'll have become the person He wants me to become. I'll look back at the path I've traveled and see all I've been able to overcome. Some days it seems I'm all alone on the path, but I know that's not true. I know I have a constant traveling companion, my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He's promised to never leave me or forsake me. Why He's chosen this particular path, I may never know, but I am thankful for the rocks and roots He's given me to climb on to reach the high places. His Word tells me the testing of my faith will produce perseverance. The dictionary describes perseverance as steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement. I think I'm learning this lesson quite well. Thank you, Lord, that you've found me worthy to partake in a small part of your sufferings. May you receive glory and honor and may I be found faithful as I continue to press on.
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"12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And,
19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good." 1 Peter 4:12-19
"3 Not only so, but we[a] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance." Romans 5:3
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