Keep Going, You're Almost There

I have a friend who enjoys hiking. She is tenacious about it. She doesn’t say much about the punishment her body sends her way as a result of this hobby, but her close friends know she pays a price. She and a few friends took a short road trip last weekend and went on a jaunt to see God’s handiwork in the form of falls (water flowing over rocks and ridges that is, not human mishaps). Sunday after church she excitedly told me about the experience. The trail was not an easy one. The incline was steep. If I understood her correctly, it wasn’t an incline at all. It was more like a rock wall. The scenes were beautiful as they pressed on. They came upon some falls, not very big but beautiful just the same. They wondered if that was all there was to see. A few hikers on the way down the mountain assured them it was not. It’s beautiful up there, they said. Keep going, they challenged. It’s so worth it, they assured. So they continued. The journey was longer than they anticipated. Muscles screamed for respite. Lungs burned. Hearts pounded. And every time the thought of turning back snuck in, hikers on the way down appeared and gave encouragement to persevere. What if they are playing a trick on us? What if we get up there and discover there is no waterfall? What if they are laughing at us as they imagine our disappointment? In the weakest moment, when giving up grew to be the best option, there was a still small voice that echoed what they had been told. Keep going. Don’t quit. It’s worth it. Her eyes sparkled as she explained what it was like to reach the prize. “It was sooooo worth it!” she exclaimed. As I listened to the recollection I couldn’t help but compare it to our daily walk with Jesus. We enjoy our surroundings in the form of worship and service. We come upon the beautiful “scenery” in the form of answered prayer and his comforting presence when difficulties arise. When we are weak and tired, our Christian brothers and sisters show up to encourage us to finish strong. Jesus stays with us, every step of the journey. He gently nudges…press on…keep going…don’t quit. And when we reach our destination, we will be wowed and speechless at the beauty and perfection before us. Hebrews 12:1…there’s a cloud of witnesses, the faithful who have gone on before us. And if they could step back into the limits of time for a moment they would say: “It’s worth it.” “Don’t give up.” “Keep the faith.” “Keep your eyes on Jesus.” “Finish strong.” My sister or brother in Jesus, no matter what incline is in your path at this moment resist the voice that tells you it isn’t worth it. When the enemy tells you this is all there is…when he whispers in your ear with the message of what a fool you are…when he tries to persuade you to turn back… Resist. Resist and he will flee from you. Draw close to God and He will draw close to you. My friend confessed they were ready to turn back when a hiker urged, “You’re almost there.” At her moment of exhaustion she was a mere 1/10 of a mile away. She said, “To think we almost missed it. We didn’t know how close we were and we almost quit. We were so close.” If you’re in the throws or sorrow or turmoil, don’t quit. You are so close. Consider our sinless Jesus willingly facing hostility and abuse, enduring the cross for all of mankind… Consider who He is and don’t lose heart. Your almost there. Oh, and my friend? Well, she’s already planning her next hike.