Our journey took us through hardwood forests on a path littered with rocks, roots, and narrow ledges.
For the first time in twelve years, my daughter and I hiked together. I hoped this would be the beginning of regular hikes again.
Our journey was one we'd taken before. A ten-mile stretch beginning at Whitewater Falls-just across the North Carolina line-and ending at Sloan Bridge. I was older and had more aches and pains than I did the last time we hiked. I warned her my pace might be slower.
Along the way, sweat poured from my body. My feet ached because my shoes were too narrow. My knees throbbed every time we hit a downhill stretch. I occasionally wondered whether I was going to make it, but each time I told myself I could.
After a few short breaks, we arrived at the end. I was glad I could still master mountain hiking, and I was even happier that I had a few hours to journey with my daughter.
Life, too, is a journey, but one the psalmist says begins in sin. The verse doesn't mean his mother was involved in a sinful relationship when she conceived him but that he was born a sinner because she was a sinner. As was her mother and father and their mother and father-and so on back to the time when the first humans decided to disobey God.
Our journey begins with a sinful nature that controls us. Like my hike, this nature takes me over rough and rocky areas. Unlike my hike, I have no chance of finishing the course successfully without help. My sinful nature dooms me unless someone intervenes.
While the wages of sin are death, the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ. I was able to summon inner fortitude to finish the hike, but I can't do this with my sinful nature. Only Christ can take it away and give me a new nature, and He does so when I admit my sinfulness and plead for His forgiveness.
Because of prior conditioning, I was able to complete the ten-mile hike. I can also complete the journey of life with a hope for eternal life in heaven-but only with Christ's help.
Don't depend on anyone or anything but Christ to help you finish life's journey.
Prayer: Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son. May we make our life's journey with Him by our side and in our heart.
Martin Wiles Hodges, South Carolina, USA
