Over Thanksgiving break, my buddy and I had the privilege of hiking the third-tallest peak in the Smokey Mountains – Mount LeConte. The path we traversed was called Alum Cave Trail, an 11-mile strenuous round-trip trek. It wasn’t for the faint of heart, that’s for sure. Many began the journey only to turn around before getting to the top because of the difficulty. Some even settled for the first nice view they found instead of going all the way to the peak. At one point, several miles into the trip, we passed a hiker who was on his way back down after reaching the summit. He said something incredibly profound to us: “Don’t give up; you are almost there. It will be worth the effort!” Those words were life-giving to me and my friend. I felt a surge of energy permeate my whole body, and I gained a mental fortitude not to quit.
The man was right; the views at the top were spectacular and worth the perseverance. I sat down to rest and take in the breathtaking views, thanking God for His beautiful creation. At the same time, I pondered, What if I would have given up before getting to the best part? What if I had not endured to the end? I wouldn’t have experienced this incredible reward. Later in the day, I reflected on all those who turned around before getting to the prize. They were so close. Then, I thought about how applicable this situation was to our spiritual lives.
Similarly to the hike, many step out in faith to do what God asks them to do with great joy and eagerness, but when they experience hardships, harsh words from their critics, unjust treatment, or when the journey simply takes longer than expected, they quickly become discouraged and turn back prematurely. Still, others experience a level of success but stop short of their full potential in Christ. Don’t let that be you. Run your race to get to the top; run to win the prize. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 NLT,
“Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.“
I want to encourage you to finish what Christ put in your heart! You are closer than you think to the top. Don’t listen to the voices telling you to turn around and go back. All the effort and the challenges along the way will be worth it in the end. Remember how excited the Israelites were when God delivered them from the mighty Egyptians? They praised God and sang and danced with great joy (Exodus 15:1-21). They were overwhelmed by what God did to the Egyptians and for helping them begin their journey to the Promised Land.
Sadly, that was short-lived. As God led them through the desert toward the Promised Land, they became more and more uncomfortable because they experienced hunger pains and extreme thirst from a lack of food and water. This, in turn, caused them to complain over and over again, saying things like,
“If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death” (Exodus 16:3 NIV).
They also demanded that they go back to Egypt after Moses sent Israelite scouts into their new homeland to explore it before going in to possess it. When the scouts returned with a report, ten of them gave a negative assessment, causing the whole community to become fearful. They adamantly shouted,
“If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt? We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt” (Numbers 14:2-4 NIV)
Because the Israelites lacked trust in God that He would do what He promised, the Lord banished the entire older generation of Israelites from entering the land He swore to give them, except Joshua and Caleb. They failed to remember the good things God did by freeing them from Egyptian bondage and by guiding, protecting, and providing for them each step of their journey. The uncomfortable situations they experienced exposed what was truly in their hearts – a lack of faith and trust in God.
May this story of the Israelites be a lesson for us all: Just because something is hard or uncomfortable doesn’t mean we can’t finish our God-given assignment. God has graced us for difficulties and challenges. He has equipped us for our journeys regardless of how impossible they look in the natural. So, when you are tempted to quit or settle for less, remember that God will not put more on you than you can bear with His help (1 Corinthians 10:13). Don’t turn around and go back. Keep pressing on toward your high calling in Christ. And just like how the hiker infused strength into me with his encouraging words, may these words refresh you:
Getting to the top of your mountain will be worth the struggle and pain. It’s closer than you think! Push through the opposition, push through the critics and the whispers of the enemy. You can make it to your divine destination!
