Which Path?
A day just like any other day. I woke early, grabbed my camera and headed out. This day I drove to one of our local greenways and parked. The skies hung low and gray lolled overhead as I peered up through the windshield.
Should I head out or bag it and go back home? If the sun isn’t shining brightly, these thoughts are always running through my head when I walk any distance from shelter to shoot. I can always make sure I’ve got my camera raincoat (yes, it’s a thing) or carry my bag, but it can be cumbersome if I find myself on long hikes. Plus, I like to have my camera out and ready, not in the bag.
I took a chance and hit the trail. It turned out to be a pretty good morning. The clouds continued on their way and the biggest issue was fog and wet ground from rain the day before. I was glad that not all the creek crossings were low-water crossing. Our Park and Rec agency had done a great job of constructing concrete fords so as long as the water wasn’t too deep, you just got your feet wet. That was okay if I’d had the right shoes, but I didn’t.
That’s why I looked for bridges. I didn’t always have an option. But when I did, high ground and walking over water, rather than through it, won. Now, if you’re a serious hiker or you do this more often than me, you’re likely better prepared and you’re thinking—I should just stay on sidewalks. Probably true. However, sometimes when we go out, we find ourselves in situations where for whatever reason, we’re not prepared. When we get there, we can feel simply uncomfortable or even scared. We may ask ourselves whether we should have taken a different path, chosen a different day, or prepared differently.
It’s the same way in life. How do we prepare for unexpected situations?
Psalm 119:105 tells us “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (English Standard Version). This is recognition that the creator of all things should be our guide. One way to do this is realizing before we head out for that hike, or in other words, before we start our day, spend time with God. Read His Word, talk with Him, spend time quietly listening to what He may want you to hear.
That doesn’t mean we won’t run into unexpected situations. We will. But having a steady routine with God will better prepare us. I believe it will help us travel lighter, less encumbered by baggage we’d prefer not having with us. Doesn’t that sound better than slogging through the water? If you are not in the habit, try it. If you’ve struggled to keep this routine going, pick it back up. I’ll be trying to do it, too.
