Hope & Quill Co.

Philippians 3:13-14

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

A couple weeks ago, my husband and I set out with his family to hike Glassy Mountain for our annual Labor Day hike. We started out with much excitement, bringing our puppy, Shiloh, along for her first real hiking adventure. The anticipated view of the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains was one I had been looking forward to after living in flatlands for almost two years. It was going to be great. 

We arrived and started towards the trailhead. Upon entering the park, we were met with orange caution tape that had our path blocked off with arrows pointing to a detour. This detoured path was unfamiliar, longer, and unexpected. But we were still eager to hike, so we pressed on!

We started up the mountain with everyone running strong. The path was relatively flat to start and then gradually inclined. The sun was shining, and our spirits were high. The babbling brook flowed by the path, the birds sang their summer song, and the smell of late summer lingered in the air. The day was perfect. 

As we continued up the mountain, feet began to grow tired, children became weary of the trail, and some made decisions to turn back. Those of us who continued still had quite a journey in front of us with steep inclines and rocky paths ahead. But we pressed on. 

The sun glimmered through the trees. Its light was the only hint that there was anything beyond the forest we were surrounded by. With my heart rate up and calves feeling the climb, (because I am way more out of shape than I care to admit), I found myself questioning if I should have turned back with the others. 

I desperately wanted to see the top, and I knew if I gave up, my husband would kindly follow me back down the mountain. With tired legs and a sweaty brow, I pushed forward, believing that the view would be worth the pain. 

We finally made it to the top. We felt the cool breeze blowing atop the summit. We could see the beautiful mountains for miles. Every step, every tough breath, every drop of sweat was worth the view at the top!

The Lesson

Detours

So often, our spiritual lives can feel like a hike. God has given us a goal, a “mark” to press toward, but sometimes we get caught up in the journey. We start out strong and eager to please the Lord, but then obstacles arise, and we have to take what we would consider a detour. In times like these, we must remember that our “detour” did not catch God by surprise. And even though the way may be long and steep, He is there to walk by our sides every step of the way.

Some are going to turn back.

We may start out with many by our side in this journey of faith, only to realize some will never make it to the top. Maybe we find ourselves seemingly alone in our walk, feeling like it would be easier to go with the crowd, avoid the obstacles, and perhaps even stay at the foot of the mountain. But we must press on, knowing that if He set the mark, He will give us the strength to press toward it.  

Paul says, “forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.” It is easy to look back on our journey up the mountain and think, “I have come a long way, this is far enough. I’ve made it farther than others.” But in following Paul’s example, we should always be pressing toward the mark, not looking behind and at the marks of others. I find Paul’s word choice “reaching” interesting. “Reaching forth” implies more than simply sitting still and looking forward. It is an action, a motion. To be reaching means to be extending as one may extend a hand. We cannot simply sit by, looking forward without taking action.  

We cannot give up.

As we were hiking, I kept noticing how the sun would glimmer through the trees. I thought how pleasant it was to feel the sun and to not feel closed in by the commanding trees. How similarly does Jesus, the Son, shine along our journey, giving light to our struggle.

I mentioned how tired I began to feel as we neared the top. I wanted to see the top, but I had hiked this mountain and seen the views before, so what was the big deal if I gave up? Likewise, in our spiritual lives, we have seen what God can do and instead of trusting Him to take us to new heights, we become satisfied with what He has done for us in the past. But what are we missing when we give up?

Had I given up that day on the trail, I would not have been able to create a new memory with my husband; he would have been disappointed in having to go back down without seeing the top; and I would not have gained the contentment from finishing the journey.

Our lives are no different. God wants to bless us, but if we stop pressing toward the mark, how can we expect to obtain the prize? Others may see us give up and wonder if serving the Lord is worth it, if God really does give us the strength we need. They may try to go on, but we inevitably become a stumbling block. I don’t want to be a stumbling block.

The view was worth the struggle.

As we reached the top, the air became lighter, the sky was open, and the view was astounding. After catching my breath, the hike did not seem so terrible. When looking across the rolling mountains of North Carolina, my legs and lungs did not seem to bother me anymore. How blessed I felt to live in a place where this view was only a day’s drive away. To see a portion of God’s handiwork, knowing that He created all the wonders of the world, yet would still want to commune with a simple girl like me is an overwhelming thought.

The wonderful part of this story is that it’s not single to me. Keep reaching forth unto those things which are before. Keep pressing toward the mark.