Being aware of the beauty God has placed all around you can change your attitude, perspective, and joy!
Yesterday we went on another hike in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. This hike, though only 2.5 miles, was straight down which meant straight up on the way back!
The day before this hike I found some new shoes with traction that I thought would be comfortable hiking shoes 👟 only to find out later that they were indoor soccer ⚽️ shoes! As we began our decent down the hill at first my mind was on how my shoes felt and how my feet were slipping in them and my toes were pointed up. They hurt within the first 1/8th of a mile.
I wanted to turn back right away but I knew there was a great beach on Puget Sound waiting for me at the end of my hike... so I pressed on! Instead of continuing to focus on my feet I began to look up, smile, and say hello to hikers trudging their way back up the hill to share some encouragement for those who were almost back.
Then I began to think about the first part of this passage.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3: 5-6
I thought about how it isn’t always easy to follow and the path that the Lord has placed us on. In fact at times it can be quite difficult. Though staying on His path is always worth it!
After that my mind went from contemplating this verse to observing and being aware of what God had placed all around me. I could hear a stream, though I found not see it yet, and some birds singing in the forest. It made a beautiful praise song in my spirit. I was peaceful, and though my feet were still hurting I couldn’t help feeling good about what we were doing. I knew God had a plan much better than mine!
When we got closer to the bottom of the hike the sound of water got closer and all of a sudden there was a break in the trees and this little stream appeared. It is amazing how something so small could make so much noise when I quieted my thoughts and listened. It was such a beautiful sight. Peace flooded my soul and I had to try to capture the moment with this photo... although it doesn’t even compare to the beauty and love of God that I felt at that moment!
You see, He knew my feet would hurt! He knew I would want to turn back! He knew my loving husband would give me the opportunity to turn back... but He also knew the peace that awaited me if I did press on and push through!
When we finally reached the beach I spent time in awe of all the different kinds of rocks God placed on the beach. I watched the gentle waves flow in. I saw they joy in my son and other children who had made it down this hike.
My flesh tried to remind me that there was a huge climb ahead of me and that it wasn’t going to be easy but I was able to push it back with a praise song in my heart.
As we began to climb back up the hill I looked around a little more. At first it seemed like it was going to be a piece of cake walking back up! My feet, and my lungs did not agree. So instead of trying to go up the hill on my own power I handed it over to God.
I found places that seemed to be just where I needed to stop, take a sip of water, and listen. It would have been easier for me to try and push my self to go further... my pride as an athlete in my younger life wanted me to go further and further... but I listened to my spirit instead and rested when I needed to rest! It was so much more peaceful and so much better that way!
Then today I read the verses following the verses I had in my head during the hike.
“Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.”
Proverbs 3:7-8 NKJV
My wisdom picked out bad shoes... because they were inexpensive and looked like something that would work. I went cheap and didn’t wait for what God wanted for me because in my heart all the hiking boots were far to expensive. I didn’t trust that He would provide something I really didn’t think I needed and that I thought would have been selfish of me to buy when I knew that money could go to help others. What I didn’t look at was that God wanted to prepare me for the path that He had called me to and that hiking boots would have made it better and easier to focus on His voice during the journey! Other hikes I didn’t in sandals and such so I believed what I had picked out was better. The thing is God picked out boots for me. Boots that would help me focus on Him! Boots that would give me peace and security as I hiked. My trust needed to be in God!
We had actually been looking for hiking boots for a few day before getting the soccer shoes. We purchased a great pair of boots for my son that were on super sale. It was such a blessing! The shoes that fit me were 3 times as much and I felt far too expensive. So I didn’t get them. The next day I got the indoor soccer shoes thinking they were rock climbing shoes. But they weren’t. I knew I was settling but felt blessed to get such a great deal. Then came the hike and the pain and the reality that God had picked out far better shoes but I wasn’t willing to listen because of price.
You see just like shoes, following Jesus costs something. We have to be willing to pay the price and sacrifice for what is right. We have to be able to put in the effort and praise God in the struggle as well as in the triumphs! If it cost us nothing then it would be something we could easily toss away… but that is not what God wants for us! He wants a relationship with each and every one of us! He wants more of us, our time, and our worship!
After the hike we went straight to a hiking store! I saw the exact pair of boots that fit well and they were $30 less then they were at the discount retailer. God knew I struggled with the price of the shoes. He knew I didn’t want to pay so much… but He also knew they were better and if I were willing to pay the cost it wouldn’t hurt as much walking down His path because my eyes would be on Him and not on myself!
Listening to God and His better plan brings strength and health to us! It is important to trust in Him even when doing things like picking out our shoes!