This summer I (David) had the privilege of hiking mountains in North Georgia and in the Linville Gorge area of Western NC.  On one of these hikes, while I was praying, this phrase came to mind: “Want the view?  Do the hike.”  I took that to mean, “If I want to experience the wonder and beauty of the views at the top of the mountain, then I must be willing to do the hard hike to get there.”   For the rest of that hike my mind wrapped around the parallels between Hiking and Discipleship to Jesus… 

Awesome views are only accessible via trail. The abundant life Jesus offers is only accessed by those who walk in His Way. 

Hiking is one step at a time.  I must be vigilant about where I step (i.e. rocks, roots, mud). Following Jesus is step by step, hour by hour. And there is vigilance, intentionality, and watchfulness. 

A map (GPS) shows me if I am on track. The Word of God shows me if I’m on track.    

Hiking with a friend is the best. My joy is not complete until I share it with another. Journeying with a brother whose spiritual success I can celebrate and vice versa is the best. 

“Want the view?  Do the hike.”

If we are born again, we are implanted with a desire to experience the view of the abundant life that Jesus promised.  We thirst after the “newness of life” that is offered in the Gospel.  We are attracted to faith, love, and holiness.  We long for peace, joy, and hope.  

But here’s the rub.  We want the VIEW, but we’re often not committed to doing the HIKE.  

When it comes to our spiritual lives, doing the hike, doing the hard work, means rearranging and reordering our lives around the practices and rhythms that marked Jesus’ life - and that marked the lives of mature Christ-followers through the ages. 

What are these practices and rhythms?

·        Unhurried time alone with God in prayer and in His Word.

·        Meeting face to face with another brother for encouragement, confession, challenge, and prayer.

·        Extended uninterrupted times of retreat to listen to and align our hearts with The Father.  

Just to name a few. 

Our prayer for all of us in the midlands of South Carolina and beyond is that we would earnestly engage these practices and rhythms. That we would all lean into the hike so we can experience the view of God’s power and glory. 

“Oh God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you…to see your power and glory” Psalm 63:1-2 (For further reflection read Psalm 63)