by Kala Loptien

What Route Is This?

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this SoundCloud link.

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith – more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire – may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1: 6-7, English Standard Version

A few years ago, Andrew and I decided to summit Quandary Peak. Technically speaking, it’s one of the “easier” 14ers in the lineup. (I’m not sure how that rating system works.) We cruised up the mountain quickly; but certainly paused along the way — to catch our breath and catch the breath-taking views. We arrived at the trailhead well before sunrise – to beat the heat and other hikers. If you’ve been on that trail, you know the first phase is filled with curves. Does anyone else find that frustrating at times? Where are we going, and why does it feel like we came back to the same spot? Isn’t there a more direct route? Ah, the switchbacks.

When we think about our lives, the journey heavenward and the ultimate summit, what kind of trail rating would we assign? Easy-ish? Curvy? Up and down? Filled with boulders? Or maybe flat-out strenuous? I have a different question for us to consider today: how are we handling the route? When life takes a weird turn and the journey feels challenging, what is our response? Are we frustrated by the switchbacks that send us back and forth? Or, at some point along the way, perhaps the Lord has enabled us to pause. We might be catching our breath. We might be catching the view. I think this is what Peter discovered amidst the many switchbacks in his own story.

The Lord doesn’t cause heartache and trials. But He does use them to teach, grow, restore, redeem and reconcile. When we seek, we find. When we are drawn closer to him, we are strengthened and sustained. We are all born with the same condition. We will all face challenges, changes, heartache and hurt along the way. As children of God, we don’t have to remain stuck in what was; and we need not fear what lies ahead. God is in control of our journey, directing our steps and guiding us home. To Him be all the glory.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado