I learned more lessons on the Appalachian Trail than I can count. One of the lessons learned and not forgotten is this:
You do not want to go backward and have to reclaim the territory or trail you have already claimed! The same is true for the lessons learned in your life’s climb.
Proverbs 3:1-6 is an enormous promise from God – “My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. 2 If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying. 3 Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. 4 Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation. 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
STOP! What? If we never forget the things that the Divine teaches us, to the degree that we will let them reside in our own heart, this life will be satisfying? Hold on. Set a reminder of them, so as to keep them in front of you and you’ll be solid with God and other people? And then the cherry on top of the sundae! Trust the Divine, seek His desire for your life and He will set you, and keep you on the proper path.
Why is this so stinking hard for us?
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We prefer to live our way, under our laws, and with our preferences. At the risk of abusive sarcasm; How’s that working out for you? Yeah, me either. ANSWER: Learn, remember, memorialize, seek, and trust = Satisfying and peace-filled life.
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We can’t imagine a deal being this good. If it’s too good to be true… ANSWER: Historically, spiritually, and relationally, we know deep in our soul that the Divine is so much more than faithful.
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We are pride-filled people, with a belief that we can handle life’s climb all on our own. I really thought that Jesus was clear on this. ANSWER: “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13
Stop reclaiming ground that you’ve already taken. Why trudge through the same difficult lesson, time after time? When we never forget, store His commands in our heart, write them deep within our heart, trust and seek, we will steadily reach the summit of our climb and will stop having to reclaim the ground we have already claimed.
Enjoy Your Climb Today,
AChuck
