What are some of the best destinations you’ve traveled or hiked to? Why did you appreciate it as much as you did? Some of my favorite hiking destinations are waterfalls. The journey through the rough terrain, extensive hike, and hills and valleys are rewarded by the beautiful, powerful, and majestic falls. One summer, some friends and I took off for Grand Portage, MN where we adventured to Middle Falls and High Falls. It was interesting as we traveled up and down the meandering trails; I heard the sound of water grow nearer to my right, however, the path quickly turned to the left. I was confused, but obviously trusted it to take me where I wanted to go. This scenario repeated itself multiple times causing the anticipation within me to grow as I kept thinking it was “just beyond the next bend.” After a few miles, my eyes finally rested on the Middle Falls. It is one of the best feelings of achievement.
On our continued hike, I was processing how the journey to the falls is similar to one’s walk with the Lord. Sometimes the road is rough, and sometimes we hear God, and other times we don’t. If we stay on the path He intends for us, we will reap the blessings. If we venture off course, we could get hurt, lost, or be scrambling through difficult situations. My takeaway is this: God’s reasons may not be known to us, but His plan is one we can trust. He states in Isaiah 55:8 - “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.
Recently, I was trudging on my own trail in life feeling a little unsure where I (in my own strength) was trying to go and not knowing the way out. Just over two years ago, my best friend asked me to marry him. I was the happiest girl and couldn’t wait to be his wife. A few weeks went by before we met with our premarital counselors, and that night, they advised us to push our wedding date out further than the two months it was scheduled due to our recent break up earlier in the year. We canceled our wedding date and venue and informed our guests. Two years went by since that session, and the date never got rescheduled. Two years went by, and I asked God why? Where are You? What do You want me to do? Should we break up? Should we keep fighting for us? After two years, I finally heard God’s answer with clarity and conviction, but it wasn’t what I wanted to hear. Investing in someone for three and a half years is a long time to not have the results we think we should receive. A week later after hearing God’s answer, I made a faith choice and broke it off. I was hurt, angry, and bitter. At the time of writing this, it’s been just over four months since the break up, but now is the time I feel led to share my story.
Some lingering comparisons from the hike and my personal example are that water is life, and God is that source that kept me going. The winding path we walk on is guided by Him and His word. The waterfalls in our life are God's goals and blessings for us to reap which I know is still ahead of me. If we walk off the trail like I did in trying to keep the relationship alive rather than truly laying it at the feet of our Lord, that could be considered sin with me choosing my own way. When I heard the sound of the waterfall on my hike, I thought I was so close to my destination and desired to have the pleasures and instant gratification. My engagement was the near sound of wedding bells; and like many others, I so wanted to be married and start a life with my husband. However, I am still currently on the rough trails and journey, being molded by my God more into His image and character.
I enjoy hiking to waterfalls, I long to be married and glorify God together with my future spouse... but I truly am grateful for Christ's unconditional love for me and the beauty of His grace in my life… and like Paul says in Philippians 4:11b, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”
“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
~1 Peter 5:10
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