Trail Musings

13662147_10210304832600440_5084934451114239592_o This summer and last, Alex and I have committed to backpack sections of the Colorado Trail.  We have committed to step into the wild, unplug from distractions, enjoy some time together, and cover miles of some of the most beautiful backcountry in the United States.  Our goal is to hike the 485-plus-mile trail, 4-5 sections per summer, until Alex graduates and then hike the entire trail that summer (it should take about a month).

 

As we have ventured into the woods, we have learned things about ourselves, nature, discovered numerous truths about God and our relationship with Him and how that spills over into our daily interactions.  I hope to summarize some of these realizations and encourage you to wrestle with them l, as we have, and that they lead to spiritual growth and transformation.

13923723_10210304714397485_3287098060709887719_oPassionate Pursuit– A little more than a week ago, Alex and I struck off for our longest trek to date, 31.5 miles in three days.  We covered 40 miles of the trail across multiple hikes last summer and we knew the task that was before us, yet we approached this challenge with excitement, determination, and passion for spending time in the amazing creation of God.  Does our walk with God mirror that passionate pursuit?  I can look back on the trail I have walked with God and know that it is taxing, beautiful, frustrating, convicting, uphill, and completely worth it.  Learning to passionately pursue God and point others to the adventure of walking with God is our task according to the Great Commission.

 

13914055_10210304850000875_3704453512915995882_oGlory– I am not a morning person.  This is not a new revelation to many of you.  I have worked several jobs that require me to wake before the sun and I still have not been able to make t
hat my routine.  That being said, tents don’t have blackout curtains.  The sunrise is bright and, every time I am out on the trail I wake shortly after the sun comes up.  The glory of God refers to His radiance and splendor.  We get to experience God’s glory on display through t13680131_10210304735238006_249574120009526617_ohings we take for granted in the city.  Things like the sun (especially rising or setting), breathtaking vistas, and the amazing creation that is right around us.  Sometimes our routine gets in the way of noticing God in the ordinary.  We are so focused on what is next that we forget to think about Who created, loves and sustains.  God’s imprint is all around.  Take a minute to recognize and worship God for giving us small glimpses of His glory.

 

13909425_10210304727717818_8151682851947379900_oWork– Each trip that Alex and I take requires work.  There is work to do to prepare our gear, food and water.  We work hard on the trail carrying around 30 pounds each, for miles.  We work to cook, clean, set up and tear down camp.  Backpacking is not for the faint of heart.  Work is also  necessary for us to reach our goals.  Life in the kingdom of God is very similar.  God has created works for us to walk in them (Eph 2:10).  In Matthew 20, Jesus tells a story of Laborers in the Vineyard.  Each laborer is hired to work during the harvest.  God draws us into His kingdom, not to bask in His glory, but to work in His vineyard.  The kingdom of God is not something we gain through our work but there is much work to do once we enter.

13923778_10210304716637541_4398361795154846852_oAdventure– Maps are great.  We use them to make sure that we don’t get lost, but the two-dimensional nature of them does not give the full picture of the trail.  Each bend in the trail presents different views and experiences.  There have been multiple times that we have rounded a corner to see an alpine valley below, walk into an aspen grove that stretches for miles, or to see more of the incline you thought or wished was over.  Walking with God takes us into the unknown.  We have an idea where the journey is taking us, but we cannot say what is around the next bend in trail.  God has a plan for us and leads us forward into the great unknown.  The adventure of following God is worth every step and challenge on the trail.

 

It is my prayer God will take these musings and challenge us and you to step deeper into relationship with Him.  The journey is worth the work and the relationship deepens with each step and challenge.  So, get out on the trail with God and experience His glory.

Hustle

quitter-cover

I grew up playing basketball.  I was an NBA player when I practiced alone, but I was a far cry from that body type and physical giftedness in games.  I did have one thing that kept me on the court: hustle.  The greatest compliment I ever received from a coach in my playing days was, “Give me 5 guys like that, and I will win 9 out of 10 times.”

A few years ago, I read a book called Quitter by Jon Acuff.  It was a great book about working toward your dream job, while still working hard in your current job.  I came across this book shortly after I knew that I was called to the Lowry neighborhood of Denver to plant a church and while only a few people knew what God was up to in our lives.  The chapter entitled “There will be Hustle” has impacted me in great ways.

I hustled to leave well by equipping and empowering leaders at my former church.  I hustled to find a way to learn the culture and relocate my family to Colorado and, once there, I hustled by working and participating as a church planting resident.  I applied hustle once we moved to Lowry by getting a job in a neighborhood Starbucks.

We have been in a season of hustling and see that hustle will be necessary over the next few years.  I apply hustle at Starbucks and even in getting things done that I really don’t love to do.  In this season in our lives, we know that hustle will be key in accomplishing what we are called to do, while taking care of the top priorities of a healthy marriage and a loving family.

Hustle has become part of my self-talk when work gets stacked up.  I even shared this idea with a regular customer at Starbucks and he reminded me about it today when the line was long and a co-worker did not arrive on time.  I might not be great at anything, but I am willing to hustle to make up for my weaknesses.