Take a Walk with Me - Pt. 10

 

And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.” (Mark 10:32-24 ESV).

 

Clingmans Dome (picture attached) is now known as Kuwohi. Kuwohi, is the Cherokee name for the mountain and translates to “mulberry place.” Kuwohi is a sacred place for the Cherokee people and is the highest point within the traditional Cherokee homeland. Kuwohi is visible from the Qualla Boundary. At 6,643 feet above sea level, Kuwohi is Great Smoky Mountains National Park's highest point. It is the highest point in Tennessee, and the second highest point east of the Mississippi. Only North Carolina's Mt. Mitchell (6,684 feet) rises higher. The Dome is a popular Park destination. Located along the state-line ridge, it is half in North Carolina and half in Tennessee. The peak is accessible after driving Clingmans Dome Road from Newfound Gap, and then walking a steep half-mile trail. I have made that hike a few times when I was much younger. It is also a part of the Appalachian Trail as it crosses Kuwohi, marking the highest point along its 2,144 mile journey.

 

Perhaps the most memorable hike was when Kyle and David were very young. In fact, Aaron had not been born as yet. Kyle had an accident and fractured his ankle and thus had a cast. David was in a stroller. We hadn’t made it very far up the inclined trailway when it became apparent that Kyle needed to ride in the stroller and I needed to carry David. Pushing the stroller and carrying David made for a very challenging hike. I kept my eyes fixed ahead and trudged up the trail, arriving somewhat winded, but very pleased! I was reminded how similar that practice is in our life journey. There are those times when the path is steep and the burden is heavy. Keeping our eyes on the destination gives us strength to finish well.

 

Our reading today shows how this was true for Jesus as well. Though Jesus meandered through Galilee and Judea during his ministry, he had one final, unshakable destination in mind, and it was deadly. When he told his disciples he was going to Jerusalem, they were astonished. They knew only too well the ugly jealousy and hatred that the religious leaders had for Jesus. They feared for his life, not to mention their own. Though he had told them about this before, Jesus’ disciples hadn’t grasped the purpose of his mission. He was going to fulfill the Scriptures’ promise of a suffering servant, who would take the sins of fallen humanity on his shoulders (Isaiah 52:13-53:12). He went to Jerusalem to die on a cross there—in order to give us new life and eternal hope. Thank God that he didn’t quit! Keep your eyes on that destination, especially when the way is hard!

Take a Walk with Me - Pt. 9

 

Then Job answered and said: “Truly I know that it is so: But how can a man be zin the right before God? If one wished to contend with him, one could not answer him once in a thousand times. He is wise in heart and mighty in strength— who has hardened himself against him, and succeeded?— he who removes mountains, and they know it not, when he overturns them in his anger, who shakes the earth out of its place, and its pillars tremble; who commands the sun, and it does not rise; who seals up the stars; who alone stretched out the heavens and trampled the waves of the sea; who made the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the chambers of the south; who does great things beyond searching out, and marvelous things beyond number. Behold, he passes by me, and I see him not; he moves on, but I do not perceive him. Behold, he snatches away; who can turn him back? Who will say to him, ‘What are you doing?’” (Job 9:1-12 ESV).

 

With today’s attachment I have moved away from my beloved Smoky Mountains to Yellowstone National Park. Some years ago Mary and I, along with Mark and Susie Mincey, visited Yellowstone. In fact, we were able to stay in the area for a week taking our time to see as much of it as possible. One evening at sunset I looked to the west from the patio of the cabin where we were staying and was awestruck by the colors of the sky with the mountains in the foreground. The picture does not do it justice. There were many other sights that were inspiring. From the eruption of Old Faithful to the herds of Bison roaming across the valleys near the Lamar River, I was reminded of the creative genius and power of our God.

 

That thought brought me to a better understanding of how destructive is can be to forget who God is in favor of thinking we are somehow comparable. This is the pride that Proverbs warns “goes . . . before a fall.” In our reading today, Job finally comes to the same conclusion. Pride is a vision problem that we all struggle with. In our pride, we fail to see our true place in God’s scheme of things. The Bible condemns pride as the very cause of humanity’s rebellion and its deadly consequences. Forgetting that we are creatures, we reject God’s design for our lives. Thinking that we are superior, we nurture contempt for others.

 

Humility is the antidote to pride. True humility means clearly seeing our place in relation to God and the world he has made; it means treating God as God, and treating ourselves and others as his beloved creatures. That’s how God wants us to walk with him—treating everyone with due dignity and grace. Take that walk with me!

 

Take a Walk with Me - Pt. 8

 

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. (Isaiah 43:1-3 ESV).

 

Springtime in the Smokies can swell the rivers with water from runoffs originating higher in the mountains. This picture was taken in along the Chattahoochee River on the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky National Park. I was walking along the edge trying to get a picture of a bull elk I had seen making his way ahead of me. I had seen him cross the river ahead and thought I could get to a clear spot quick enough. Obviously, that didn’t happen; and fortunately, my brain engaged and kept me from trying to cross. Wading through moving water can be dangerous.

 

Some “rushing rivers” can’t be avoided though. In our reading from Isaiah, God assures his people of his presence and protection. When the challenges and crises of life stand in their way like a rushing river, says the Lord, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” Using the imagery of surging waters and raging fire, God promises that his people will not be overwhelmed. Later in this chapter, God recounts how he kept Israel safe from the deep waters and the army of Pharaoh when they crossed the Red Sea (cf. Exodus 14). God also promises to protect his people from the surging destruction of their own sins. He promises to blot those sins out and to remember them no more.

 

God, who created us and knows our weaknesses, promises to love us and protect us from dangers both outside and within our own hearts. We see God’s faithfulness to his people and, above all, in his Son, Jesus, who fulfills all of God’s promises.

 

Take a Walk with Me - Pt. 7

 

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23:1-6 ESV).

 

Continuing in our “Take a Walk with Me” series brings me to one of the most beloved psalms of the Scripture. It has been read at innumerous gravesites as a means of comfort for those who are experiencing one of the darkest and most difficult times of their lives. When David says, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (v. 4), he certainly had this kind of experience in mind. However, God comforts us in many other experiences as well as grief. I’ve chosen a story that is humorous now, though frightening at the time.

 

The picture I’ve attached was taken in Cades Cove, Tennessee. It is not unusual to see black bears as they move freely through this “wild” area. This bear had decided to climb a tree just off the road that loops its way around the cove. Of course, I had to attempt to get a photo. My camera is not equipped with special lenses. This “close-up” is taken from the base of the tree. Even though Mary cautioned me not to get out of the car, I had to get closer for the picture. There were some others who had done the same, so, I reasoned I was relatively safe. After taking several shots, this pose filled the screen and I snapped it. Proudly thinking how well I had done, I noticed the bear had decided to come down from the tree. Perhaps it was annoyed at the attention it was receiving from the crowd that had gathered, or maybe it simply wanted to go to another place. I couldn’t back up quickly enough! Making it back to the car, Mary simply said, “I tried to warn you.” Well, she did… I suppose there are times when God protects us even when we are not very smart!

 

In Psalm 23, God promises to protect his people in the many challenging, difficult circumstances of life. Chief among the promises here is the assurance of God’s presence. God promises to walk with us through green pastures and along babbling brooks when life’s pathways are clear and smooth. God also promises to be with us through thorny stretches, and even through “the darkest valley,” where we may face “the shadow of death,” as some translations put it. Those are paths that we tremble even to think about. He promises, “I am with you.” This means that wherever we walk, and in whatever circumstances we find ourselves, we are never alone.

 

Psalm 23 doesn’t promise that our lives will be easy or even safe. But with the promise of God’s enduring presence in our lives, we can walk boldly with him as we seek to serve him wherever we are.

 

Take a Walk with Me - Pt. 6

 

The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted. Arise, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you.” So Abram moved his tent and came and settled by the oaks of Mamre, which are at Hebron, and there he built an altar to the Lord. (Genesis 13:14-18 ESV).

 

Some of the most beautiful sights I have seen in the Smokies were almost accidentally captured with a short walk on a path leading away from one of the many overlooks along the road. Today’s picture was taken at such a spot. Mary and I were riding through the Roaring Fork Motor Trail when the attached picture was taken off the parking area. We had climbed nearly to the halfway point of the motor trail, seeing an overlook space available, I pulled in to just look. Walking around the area I saw a footpath leading up to a higher vantage point. It was not far, so I climbed up and reached the end to be rewarded with this magnificent view. It seemed as if the mountains stretched on forever!

 

Our reading today is the end of the story that begins with how God had brought Abram (whom he later renamed Abraham) and his household on a long journey from Harran (in present-day Turkey) to the land of Canaan (present-day Israel). God had made promises, and Abraham had trusted God, taking him at his word (Genesis 12:1-7). As we can see in today’s reading, God promised to give Abraham all of the land that he could see around him in Canaan. And God said, “Go, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.” God promised to bless Abraham and his descendants there, and Abraham settled in that land and worshiped the Lord.

 

God might not call us to journey on foot, but he does call each of us to follow him in faith and faithfulness. At the end of our journey we will receive all the creation God has prepared for us. There will not be an end to it. It is eternal, without limits. I’m always a bit amazed that I spend so much of my journey looking down at my steps that I miss the vista ahead. Never doubt that through Jesus, God keeps his promises to us. Heaven is ahead!

 

Take a Walk with Me - Pt. 5

 

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. (Hebrews 11:6-7 ESV).

 

The picture today is from the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River that runs in front of the cabin where Mary and I enjoy staying when we are in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. It was taken in the fall of the year, and the colors were incredible. So was the fly fishing! I love to fish, especially when I’ve got the chance to catch some rainbows in the mountains. It has required that I “persevere.” In fact, I’ve done a lot more fishing than catching though. These beautiful fish are wary. I’ve finally figured out the right pattern of fly and the approach and have caught a few nice fish here. So far, they’ve all gone back to the river to allow others the pleasure of fishing for them.

 

I am reminded of the need for perseverance in our journey by this memory. The story of Noah illustrates this truth. Noah’s journey isn’t about fishing a trout stream, but about building an ark. And if you’ve ever built anything, you know that it involves many steps in a process. Gathering materials, measuring, cutting, fitting, shaping, joining, finishing. Piece by piece, the ark took shape. God had commanded Noah to build an enormous lifeboat on dry land. It took Noah years to complete what seemed an impossible, ludicrous project. Imagine the courage, resolve, and sheer stamina it took to work on the ark day after day as his neighbors mocked him.

 

God chose Noah not for his perseverance but for his faith. When he received God’s command, Noah didn’t hesitate. Though he may have had doubts, he acted in faith, step by step, until the ark was ready. Our reading today commends Noah for his active faith. In the face of what seemed ridiculous and impossible, Noah walked with God. We may not finish every task we try to accomplish for God’s kingdom, but if we step out in faith in obedience to God, we walk with the Lord in his strength. Sometimes we even catch a few fish!

 

Take a Walk with Me - Pt 4

 

When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah. Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him. (Genesis 5:21-24 ESV).

 

The Appalachian Trail, often referred to as the A.T., is an iconic long-distance hiking trail which runs for approximately 2,200 miles between Springer Mountain, Georgia and Mount Katahdin, Maine in the American East. There are few hiking trails in the world that are more iconic, and the Appalachian Trail thru hike - completing the entire route in one season - is attempted by around 3000 people each year, though the number who hike a small part each year runs well into the millions. I am one of those who have hiked “a small part” of it! The picture I’ve attached is the trailhead at the southern end of the A.T. in Georgia. If you are able to be in the trail-thru hike it is only a bit over 2,000 miles to the end from here!

 

I find it difficult to imagine walking a long-distance trail like this one. I am told that it can give you a feeling of timelessness. Although the landscape changes, the day-to-day rhythm remains the same: walk, eat, sleep; repeat. The life of Enoch, an early descendant of Adam and Eve, also has a sense of timelessness about it. He lived for 365 years and did not die! Yet Enoch’s lifespan was short for his family. Enoch’s father, Jared, lived to the age of 962. At age 65, Enoch had a son named Methuselah, who lived to be 969 years old!

 

The four short verses about Enoch’s life don’t tell us much, but we do learn one crucial fact about him: “Enoch walked faithfully with God.” In his long life of stepping through each day, Enoch walked in a way that pleased God. In fact, God was so pleased with Enoch’s faithful walk that he spared Enoch from the curse of death.

 

Certainly there is mystery in this story. Yet there is no mystery about how to please God. God calls us to walk faithfully with him, trusting him, honoring him, and serving him. God will probably not take us away as he did with Enoch, but we have the comfort of knowing that Jesus, who conquered sin and death for us, has promised never to leave or forsake us when our own lives end. Perfection is not the goal. Commit to a faithful walk!