by Victoria Heinecke

When trekking through life, only one thing matters.

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

“Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.“
Jeremiah 32:17 English Standard Version

This summer, I made my third trip up the Manitou Incline, a stairway trail with over 2,700 steps and a 1,000 foot elevation gain. Partway up the steps, there is a bail out point that connects with a trail that meanders back to town. My cousin and her twin daughters visited from Chicago, and this was our fun for the day.

The twins are marathon runners and scampered up the steps in less than an hour. My cousin and I befriended another trekker, who was also from Chicago. It took nearly three hours for the three of us to reach the top, as the thin air slowed a couple of us down. However, we pushed past the bail out and made it to the top of the steps!

During the hike, we marveled at the beauty around us. The clear morning skies were a darker shade of blue, and the colors of the trees and flowers were especially bright.

Hiking in general, and climbing the Incline in particular, can resemble a faith walk. We can’t see the entire trail from start to finish, and the trail conditions can change between hikes. Parts of the trail are easy to navigate, while other parts are challenging. The discipline of training can be like the discipline of time in the Word; the more time we spend, the better our overall condition will be.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV

Most important, if we keep our attention towards God, he will guide us along the path he has set before us..

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado