Fearless Feat
GOD, the LORD, is my strength; he makes my feet like hinds’ feet, he makes me tread upon the high places. Habakkuk 3:19 (RSV0
What motivates us to continue when the road looks long, difficult, and questionable? We made a choice to complete a task for some reason—because we could? Then the doubts begin to form. What was I thinking? But we don’t give up. We push on. Usually, we get more than we bargained for as did Susie Colby (All God’s Creatures). Wow, I’d like to find and smell those orchids!
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Eager to hike, we burst out of the gondola atop Untersberg mountain in Germany. Yellow arrows displaying place names we didn’t recognize and couldn’t pronounce pointed in all directions, so it seemed safe to take any path. Interpretive signs helped us notice, and with a little help from Google Translate, identify wildflowers. Our favorite was a blood-red orchid that smelled like chocolate.
Soon we were alone on a path, and the signs were nowhere to be found. A fit young hiker approached, explaining that he was turning back because the trail was steep, but we pressed on, hoping to reach a mountaintop refuge where lunch might be served. Scat underfoot revealed that other creatures had enjoyed a meal nearby.
Gorgeous views and abundant wildflowers lured us on. We descended ladders into dripping rock caves and sidestepped along piles of small loose stones on goat trails. We began to question the wisdom of our focused pursuit of lunch.
As we rounded the corner of the cliffside, we saw a mountain goat grazing on a grassy outcrop below us, unconcerned by his precipitous perch. We spied a larger outcrop ahead; this one supported a small cabin. Its deck crowed with hikers enjoying fried potatoes and bratwurst. Quickening our pace, we discovered a scene farther below—a tiny goat kid was playfully and fearlessly scampering about his mother. Satisfied with fresh food and secure on the mountainside with its mother, the energetic little one seemed an image of joy.
Contentment, freedom from fear, beauty. These are certainly the elements of joy. We delighted in the adorable kid goat and his patient mother as we took in a delicious lunch and incredible views. Our joys were multiplied by wonder and gratitude.
There are no obstacles which our Savior’s love cannot overcome, and that to him, mountains of difficulty are as easy as an asphalt road! —Hannah Hunard
Father, thank You for being our motivation! You never leave us, and You remain by our side every step of the way. You are worthy of all praise. AMEN.