My body was silently screaming, but my heart was singing. Each step pushed my muscles to their limit and with each step I began to trust my feet a little more and look further up the path instead of directly down worrying I’d trip over a root. Pretty soon my stride slipped into a rhythm while my mind sifted back through the picturesque views we enjoyed all morning hiking up Blood Mountain. The dew was thick enough that when the wind blew it fell off the branches like rain, and at times we were so close to the clouds if they were but a few feet lower we could’ve touched them. The vistas from the rocks toward the other mountains caused us to pause in awe as we laughed stumbling to find the right words to express our excitement. These are the rare moments where you feel so alive and in tune with what’s around you that all seems right and whole. In that space I felt deeply loved and embraced by my Father.
Since coming to Georgia I’ve spent whatever spare time I’ve had checking out new places outside and loving every bit of it. I keep thinking of Aslan chanting “further up and further in!” as the children run through Narnia without tiring; enthralled with the beauty around them. He takes so much delight in our wonder even if it’s over something small. Zephaniah writes “he will rejoice over you with joyful singing.” I contemplated what it’d sound like hearing God sing, and my mind ran through a playlist of vocals to compare it to. A little warbler calling out to his buddies somewhere in the woods interrupted my thoughts and I had my answer.
I don’t know how to explain it, but God is revealing more and more of his love for me each time I step out and I can feel my heart growing confident and restful. Sometimes I wonder if that’s how Adam felt when he walked with God in the cool of the garden before the fall. While walking on the path we’re on sometimes we forget to look up because we don’t trust ourselves to make the right step, but there’s a distinct difference in walking in our own strength/skills and the strength/skills the Lord has given us. Did you know God trusts you? Think about that, he TRUSTS you. I had to trust my body naturally could navigate the path without me thinking on every single step (plus it really made my neck hurt). Trust in what God has given you to navigate where you’re at. There’s a lyric that has stuck with me recently that goes “the path you take becomes a road,” and what God showed me is I am a trailblazer in my own right because I’m willing to say yes and try knowing I’m going to trip sometimes. It doesn’t mean I’ve failed though.
All of this is a word for me as much as it is for the person reading. I’ve been humbled that during these moments with the Lord he’s given me words to share with people, and as awkward or weird as it may seem, the chance to give it and see how much God wants to encourage them through it makes a little part of my spirit sing too. I’m learning more and more it doesn’t have to be some profound prophetic insight you need to share with some stranger at Kroger. Simply smiling and saying “have a good evening” is still speaking life over someone. If any of you have gone on a decent hike sometimes you’ll pass someone coming from where you’re hoping to go. Having them encourage you with “just a little further, the view is worth it” gives you that extra gusto to press on. You have something worth sharing to someone in passing, and it’s enough.
