The Path

 

Early one morning with a chance of rain in the air Mary and I headed up the mountain for another day of hiking in the Rocky Mountain National Park.  One of the nice things about hiking in the RMNP is all the path options and signage to help you with your planning.   There is always a sign nearby with a list of destinations and the distance to those locations.  On this particular morning we set out to see three mountain lakes.  Our goal for the day was to hike to Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and Emerald Lake.

It was a beautiful morning with just a hint of mist in the air, but with the sun still shining through the Aspens and Pine trees.  As we walked along the path we noticed all the pretty wild flower and tall grass that covered the meadows.  Off in the distance we could hear the sound of running water and we hoped to have a chance to see a stream or waterfall.  It was in every way the perfect morning for a hike in the mountains.

As we walked on the path I said to myself, “self, how did they decide where to put this path?”  The paths in the RMNP are truly amazing.  They are well marked and maintained.  For the most part the paths are fairly easy to hike for those of us who are not in “hiking shape”.  There are times when the trail is right on the edge of a cliff that offers you a majestic view of God’s creation.  At times it seems as if you can see beyond the horizon into the heavens.  I wondered if I was walking through the back yard of the Angels. 

Whoever mapped out the paths and trails for the RMNP did a wonderful job.  The scenic views and photo opportunities are endless.  I am thankful for the time and effort it took to prepare and build the various paths that lead to some of the most beautiful locations on earth.  To those who went before me to level the ground and cut the trees and marked the trails for safety and presented me the gift of being in such a wondrous place I say thank you.

That’s the way life is, there are people who have gone before us and they have marked the paths and trails for a life of holiness in the presence of God.  You and I do not have to walk down life’s path in total ignorance.  You and I have the ability to look to other men and women of faith and learn from their journey.  We can see their times of joy and their times of struggle.  We can see how they responded to the challenges of life and how they learned from their victories and their defeats.  We can see how those who walked before us spent time with God in devotion and prayer.  We can see their journey with all the ups and downs and we can see how a good and merciful God loves his children always.

I am thankful for the paths that have been built and marked by those who have gone before me.  I am also mindful that I too am walking a path and marking a trail that others will be using in the future.  Lord, may my steps be your steps, may my words be your words, and may my thoughts be your thoughts.  Help me to walk in your ways to your destinations and may my life be a path worth following.

As you go along the way, remember there is someone right behind you.  Step carefully and as always….

Love God.  God Love Others.