The ascent and descent of the ridge were labeled 'very challenging' by park standards. We are NOT experienced hikers, but we figured that we would at least try to get to the top of the ridge. If we couldn't make it, we would just blame it on the dog!
The trail is a series of switchbacks (zigzags) that cut up the side of the cliff face. The terrain is loose rocks and dirt with the occasional boulder and drop-off. Meanwhile, each of us has about 30 pounds strapped to our backs, significantly changing our centers of gravity. It is the PERFECT combo for falling on your face, if you happen to misstep. Did I mention that there are cacti and thorn bushes along both sides of the trail? Welcome to hiking in the Wild West.
This seems like the ideal time to confess that I have an irrational fear of stairs. More like a phobia that I will someday fall down a staircase to certain agonizing death. Each time that I look at stairs, all that I can see are the jagged, sharp edges of each step. I imagine feeling a total loss of control as gravity's momentum pulls me into a never-ending fall. Kind of a weird phobia, but can you sympathize with my terror?
While I can be fearful, I can also be very stubborn. I like to prove that I can do hard things. I was fully committed to reaching the top of the ridge upon my first step up that trail. As we climbed higher and higher from the safety of flat ground, I had the conscious determination to suppress my growing fear of falling.
While my husband was able to stop and look back at our progress, I had to keep moving forward, forgetting the steep terrain below and behind me.
I was encouraged by Philippians 3:13-14: "But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
I had to forget what was behind me to keeping move forward towards my goal.
Even a quick glance back could have paralyzed me. The thought of falling made me want to sit down and be still. If I didn't move, then I couldn't possibly fall. That is no way to climb a mountain!
Instead of giving into the urge to cling to solid ground, I focused on my goal. I fixed my eyes upon the path and put one foot in front of the other. With each step, my goal was simply to get further up the ridge. I knew that I would be able to enjoy the view from the top—I just had to get there.
Let me tell you—the view from the top was beautiful! I could see how far I had come from the safety of flat ground. I could see beyond the trail. I could see that the trail had led me to a place of beauty and freedom. I was stronger and more confident than I had been on the flat ground.
Often, our trails seem hazardous. We wonder why God has led us along life-paths littered with fear... pain... rejection... distractions.
All the while, He is calling for us to fix our eyes upon Him!
Do not look to the right or to the left. Do not set your gaze on the loose footing, surrounding thorn bushes, and steep cliffs below you. Do not fix your focus on the anxiety-producing risks, discouraging naysayers, and whispered lies of your enemy. Press on toward the goal to which God has called you!
How often do you fail to take hold of what is ahead, because you are focused on the hazards? Where are you allowing the fear of falling to paralyze you from climbing higher towards your goal?
I'll leave you with a few holy encouragements:
Isaiah 30:21 // "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'"
Hebrews 12:12-13 // "Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 'Make level paths for your feet,' so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed."
Joshua 1:7 // "Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go."