Susan Anderson tells us, "I prefer hiking where the trail’s designer included clearly posted trail markers."
"On an early fall hike, my college friends and I carefully followed the blue diamond trail markers that dotted the trees ahead of us.
We’ve known each other for over twenty-five years and gather together annually to celebrate our friendship and to reflect on our walk with God.
This year we grabbed a trail map and set out for a hike in Lacawac Sanctuary.
'Sanctuary' aptly describes this parkland – a 500-acre preserve gifted to the public in the Lake Region of Pennsylvania.
Two thoughts came to mind when I began the hike: One, 'I wonder how long the hike will take.'
And two, 'Will we really enjoy this?' My friends and I intentionally choose a “moderate” hike and then stepped onto the grassy path leading to the woods.
We walked and talked and sometimes fretted about navigating the water-logged path.
Hours of rain from the previous day and night had soaked sections of the trail, but it had also provided a source for two strong-flowing waterfalls along our little adventure.
Sure, we stretched a bit to span these unusually rushing water obstacles. However, the sounds and views of the water refreshed our spirits.
We stepped with some added caution after little frogs jumped out from under fallen leaves.
As they drew our attention to the forest floor, tiny orange salamander-looking newts scrambled across the trail – we counted over 100!
While keeping watch for the blue diamonds, we dodged spiderwebs and sagging limbs.
We spotted both enormous and petite storybook-looking mushrooms, fan-like fungus, and fuzzy white caterpillars, as well as pausing at fourteen noted 'sights of interest.'
All seemed to interrupt the task of finishing our hike, yet finishing was not the complete goal; it also included the enjoyment and refreshment of being with friends in the company of God and His creation as we followed the blue diamond trail markers to our destination.
God hasn’t called us to finish each trail as fast as we can; He has called us to follow and track with Him.
When we do, our lives will be filled and refreshed by the “light of life” rather than characterized as those who “walk in darkness.”
If you’ve accepted the generous gift of Jesus Christ as your Savior, you’ve stepped onto the path designed by your Creator.
God has also gifted you with the Holy Spirit to help you find and follow the trail markers no matter the terrain.
God is good like that — never setting us on our way without some way to lead. He is the light. Seek after Him and may you finish well."
"I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, by have the light of life." John 8:12 NKJV
Trail Markers – Susan Anderson
Photo courtesy of microsoft.com free image gallery
Susan lives in New Jersey with her husband and their two teenage daughters.
They have lived in New Jersey for all of their twenty-three years of marriage.
Susan accepted Christ as her Savior when she was a child.
However, her deeper fellowship with God has occurred through her adult years as He has held and equipped her each day.
She began writing to testify of God’s goodness and His sovereign care over His children.
Read Susan’s devotions.
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This evening's post: Going With What Seems Right Pocket Devotions
Tomorrow’s post: Two Lessons Learned Our Daily Bread
Today’s treasure truth #9: If you are “born again”, you are redeemed from the curse of the law. (Gal.3:13)
Our thought for today: When we ask for God's help, He'll show us how to do things right.
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