"The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights." Habakkuk 3:19
Many times a day I reflect on that very verse as it's permanently inked onto my wrist.
Yesterday, I walked miles of trails through Mt.Baker and once I reached the glacier, felt as if I too had feet of a deer and had entered the heights the scripture talks about. In a book I recently read titled, 'Hinds Feet on High Places,' the author speaks of this very mountain and of Much Afraid.
You see, Much Afraid lives her life in fear of the climb. She lives in the grip of, "What if," and "How am I suppose to to that? I'm not good enough for that." Like many of us, the fear of climbing paralyzes us from doing the impossible because of the unknown outcome or obstacles that may confront us in the journey.
As I was climbing further up the trail with my girlfriends, I mentioned this book and how we, like Much Afraid, get too busy or too nervous about the hike to stop and notice the beauty around us. At many times, us gals stopped to acknowledge the little purple flowers, the different varieties of moss, the pinks, yellows and trickling sounds of little streams. It wasn't until we reached the top of the ridge that we faced the meadow and stood still at the complete awe and wonder of the glacier itself and majestic mountain within reach.
"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!" Isaiah 52:7
{ First big waterfall claimed by a selfie. }
{ God's beautiful canvas of color on the mountain side. }
This hike was a great reminder for me to slow down.
Many times I find myself caught up in schedules, routines, urgent calls and life, that I don't notice the small stuff God has placed before me. A few weeks ago, our pastor was talking about the Hittites in our lives that cause us to stumble and fall or whisper our name to distract us in our purpose. I was quick to call out the Hittites in my life as there are triggers that steal my thoughts and the devil who loves to tell me I'm unqualified for the job. Past pains that can be drudged up therefore becoming a distraction in my journey to complete healing. We all face something that causes us to stumble and give in. It's being able to label them and recognize them as just that; Hittites, that is the game changer.
If I allowed the slightest distraction to grip my focus as we climbed trails, crossed over boulders and carefully guided ourselves across waterfalls, it would have quickly become a miserable, dangerous hike rather than the memorable one we made.
"How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you." Psalm 31:19
To fear the Lord is healthy. I felt that fear standing at the mountains edge looking at the mighty, the power, and sheer beauty all created in His Hands. I noticed the breath-taking canvas of color in the meadows and how no drop of water sounded the same. I heard the ice shifting and cracking as I stood in wonder of the size of the glacier. There was no room for Hittites to enter and no question who created the ground I stood on. It's hard to imagine that some honestly believe it snapped into place or created itself. I found myself wanting to burst into songs of praise resting on the mountainside not only because we made it to the top, but because our God is that GREAT and MIGHTY!
My heart was full.
"You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands." Isaiah 55:12
{ After crossing raging falls and smaller creeks, we made it to the glacier. }
It took a hike to slow my heart down; for my mind to switch gears and heart to come back to what the purpose and focus should be.
Jesus.
It's all about Him. The way I plan and structure our home school days and choose curriculum for each child should and is, surrounded with Christ's best interest for His children. It's about becoming more intentional with my words, my actions and my outcomes that will bring more glory and honor to The One who spun it into action. As sure as the mountain stands tall, so too, I want my faith and my life to shout out and reflect my gratitude to my Creator and King. I don't want there to be any room for distractions or Hittites to take root. And because I have been blessed with amazing friends and sisters in Christ, I have those close to me to help hold me accountable, to encourage me and to support me in shouting out Jesus' name in everything I do. When seeds of doubt or gloom lurk around the corner, they come in and squander the thought before it grows into existence.
God knew I needed friends and I have been overwhelmed with many.
I did not allow myself to let Much Afraid ruin the enormous beauty at the feet of the mountains meadow yesterday. There was no room for fear or doubt as all the focus was in the scene in front of me.
"Yet I will REJOICE in the Lord, I will be JOYFUL in God my Savior." Habakkuk 3:18
"Let my teaching fall like rain, and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants." Deuteronomy 32:2
{ Notice the white flag? Gotta go when duty calls. }
{ The clouds parted for a glimpse to the top! }
{ Christie crossing the raging waters with glee. Me? I was terrified the first time and a little less on the way home. Wet? Yes. }
Funny story: When crossing the last waterfall to the glacier, we noticed what Christie had said were dogs running around. I quickly looked a bit closer and said, "I've never known a dog to have that fluffy of a tail before." So, we continued forward after crossing yet another watershed and at the same time we reached the glacier, started hearing a "hiker's whistle" and searched to see if there was someone in need of help. The whistle sound kept moving around and we later kept going higher and higher until I found the perfect spot to take a picture and right about then, was when the beast came charging right at me! Melissa yells out, "PORCUPINE!" I screamed and froze in place and I'm sure Christie doubled over laughing at the screen unfolding before her. The whistle and "dog" was indeed not what we thought it had been, but rather a marmot giving his warning signal of DANGER, DANGER! First a real dog chasing him and then some random hikers searching in his own back yard. The rat had every right to make me jump but could have chosen a different trail then the one I stood on!
Our feet truly did get quite high in regards to where we hiked. Even greater than that was the gift God gave us at the top where we could stop and pause; we relished in His beauty.
Thank you Christie for the birthday hike!
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