Surviving the Switchbacks

Don’t get discouraged. The view from the top is stunning.

I love to hike and this is my favorite time of year for it. There air is cooler and the leaves are turning. One thing I’ve learned over the years is that some of the most beautiful views require a fair amount of effort to enjoy. Some of the most beautiful scenery God ever created is on the top of a mountain or looking over the top of a waterfall.

But, there’s a catch. To really appreciate all of the glory that nature has to offer, you have to start at the bottom and hike to the top. Sometimes the trail is a gentle walk with very few obstacles. Sometimes you can reach the top in no time.

Sometimes, however, the trail is covered with exposed roots and you have to watch your footing or you will fall. Then there are the trails with the dreaded switchbacks. There are some trails that are way too steep to go straight up, so someone along the way, created a more even system to reach the top. Unfortunately, they are quite tedious.

You walk awhile going in one direction then you get to the end and you are pointed back in the direction you just came from, but a little bit closer to the top than before. I have walked a series of switchbacks before where I felt like I had very close kinship with those hamsters in their little mazes. I wondered if I would ever each the top.

But, I had to keep walking. At some point, I realized I had come way too far to turn back. I was ever so sure that the summit was just around the corner and I resolved to keep going. I did stop for a water break at times. Sometimes you just have to rest and catch your breath.

But, when I reached the top, well, the sheer beauty made me feel closer to God. But, isn’t that always the case when we travel towards some kind of destination that seems out of our reach?

We begin with some kind of game plan or map and we get started. Sometimes we get to where we are going quickly. But, sometimes the road is long and the path is twisted. Sometimes we only take what feels like the tiniest of baby steps and we truly believe we are getting nowhere.

But, if we are following God, we may just be in a series of switchbacks, which means we are getting there, but at a slower, safer pace. Sometimes we need to take a break on our journey and take a little rest. We can pray for continued strength and guidance.

Wherever you are today in your journey, rest if you need to, but then, get up and keep going, even if you feel very weary or even discouraged, because in the end, if you are following Him, you will reach the top and the view is stunning.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂