10 pm on a Friday night- exhausted and ready for sleep I see a post before bed about a pre-sunrise hike Saturday morning. I had been pushing hard all week long and despite being interested in going, I really wanted to say “no way Jose” to stay home and rest given the short notice. Then, I thought about how it would be a cool opportunity since the state park is normally not open until sunrise and this group going had permission to hike in the dark so they could experience sunrise on top of the mountain. Decisions, decisions… I made a deal with G-d if he woke me up in time to get ready and leave, I would happily go and if not, it would be my cue to stay home and rest.
4 am Saturday morning comes and much to my chagrin I am up wide awake ready to tackle the day’s adventure. I rush to get ready and head out to the state park. The group is leaving from the North Trailhead at 5 am so I don’t want to be late. I arrive at 5:02 and the group has already started. However, I don’t see them anywhere and seriously considered getting back in my car to go home. Low and behold, I see a few headlamps up in the tree line not far from me so I start on the blue trail following their lead.
About halfway up the trail I start to wonder if I am going the right way. I knew about how long the trail would be and after looking at the clock, I wondered if I was lost and whether or not I would make it to the top of the mountain to see the sunrise from King’s Chair. Using only my headlamp, I was trying to navigate a trail that I had not traveled before in utter darkness. Those few other headlamps were only in front of me for a little bit as I was taking the hike slow and steady due to the difficulty of the trail. I told G-d I trusted Him to lead me step by step even when I couldn’t see where to go next. Many times I had to stop and figure out which way to go. I also wondered if I was crazy for hiking this trail in the dark alone. I started reflecting on the journey and how far I’ve come. I thought of the Brute Squad and their belief in me and where God is calling me on this new adventure. I realized that though the path was difficult to tread, it was overcomeable and I kept going each step of the way.
Coming up on the final ascent I started to see the others. 80-ish people came out that morning to experience nature at its finest. The breeze marked the way towards the overlook where the wind was in full force. When I got to the top of King’s Chair the light was already breaking in and I said at least I made it even if I missed the sunrise coming over the horizon. I grabbed a seat on the mountain and viewed the valley in awe and wonder. Then, I saw the sun peek over, begin its rise, and I smiled. I hadn’t missed it after all. I felt in that moment like a true daughter of the most high King sitting up on His lap marveling at His creation.
Sitting with the Father
While at the summit, I found others to join in with who were also being silly with photos. We enjoyed laughing and having a good time.
“Everything the light touches is our Kingdom”
We found common ground in conversation and decided to hike the descent back together. As we were heading down, I realized we were going a different much easier way than what I had climbed on the front half. I simply laughed upon discovering I had taken a different trail than the group did. Of course, I would end up going my own way and finding it much more difficult than if I had simply been on time and gone the right direction. How gracious is God though that two paths led to the same place so neither was the wrong one to take- one was simply easier than the other.
How many times do we try to go our own way instead of listening to God and find it a much more difficult path to walk?
The choice to go was hard. The path itself was hard. The reward, however, is priceless.
I learned a lot about myself as I hiked and as I went through the rest of my day renewed, reenergized, and not lacking for anything including rest. Obedience is worth more than sacrifice. I can do hard things.
Follow the light He said. I did and it was glorious.
