I used to work at a summer camp in North Carolina where we would go on this hike called “rattlesnake.” It was not a difficult hike, and it had a beautiful view. The very first time I went on this hike with my age group, I was scheduled to lifeguard, so I was going to do part of the hike and then turn around and go back to make it to my shift at the pool.
Now, I do not claim to be the best with directions, but I was told it was an easy hike, and I paid attention when I was going up the mountain. So, when I left, it should’ve been easy to get back to camp. Well, on this hike, there was a sharp turn by some trees that were not very clearly marked. On the way back down the mountain, I missed this turn and did not realize it until I ended up in an open field.
CHOICES
I had a decision to make: turn around and go back or keep pushing forward in hopes that I would come upon something recognizable. After a few tears, because I was scared and alone in the woods where I knew there were bears and snakes without my cell phone, I gathered up the courage to keep pushing forward. I began running because now I was late for my shift at the pool. After a while of running, I distantly heard the familiar sounds of camp. Girls playing, music coming from the chapel, announcements over the intercom system. So, I followed that sound. Eventually, I ended up at the gate to go back into camp.
Later in the summer, we went on this hike again. This time, however, I went with a group of people all the way to the summit and all the way back. At the summit, it was one of the most beautiful views I’ve ever seen. I was in awe of God’s creation.
THE VOICE OF OTHERS
Both times I went on this hike, it was the voice of others that helped me reach my destination. The first time when I was lost, it was the sounds of camp. When I was on the right path, it was because of the voice of the other staffers leading the hike. The voice of others who love Jesus is a huge part of what keeps us on the right path and leads us back to the right path when we have strayed. Often, we are full of pride and think we know better than others. When we make mistakes, we are often unwilling to lean on others and think that we can work way out of the situation on our own. Proverbs tells us differently.
“Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in abundance of counselors there is safety.” Proberbs 11:14
“Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.” Proverbs 19:20
“For by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.” Proverbs 24:6
SEEK GUIDANCE
We must learn to drop our pride and seek guidance from our fellow believers. The Lord blessed us with them for a reason. We may not always love what they have to say, but the truth does not always feel good, and wise counsel is not always comfortable. But it’s necessary. Their guidance, prayers, and advice are a major component in reaching our destination.
More important than listening to people, we must listen to God. And to know and recognize His voice, we must be familiar with it. We must dive deep into the Word of God. We must constantly be in communication with Him. His voice helps us decipher if our people are guiding us along the right path or not. Trusting in His voice is what keeps pushing us forward towards our destination. I could have easily sat in the middle of the trail, had a pity party, and turned around, and went back to my group. But something, Someone deep inside me, told me to keep going, to trust in His provision and His protection. And continuing to push through the fear that day taught me more about God than the beautiful view I saw a couple of weeks later at the summit of that mountain.
FAILURES ARE NOT FINAL
I also think it is important to note that even when I made a mistake and took the wrong path, I still got to my destination. Yes, the mistakes had consequences. It took me longer to reach my destination and took a lot more effort. However, when I focused on the voices of those who were doing life with me and trusting that the Lord would keep me safe, that mistake was not the end of that story. Our mistakes are not final. This reminds me of the words of a song I cling tightly to in times of confusion, mistakes, and failure called “The Father’s House” by Cory Asbury. It says, “a failure’s never final when the Father’s in the room.” This mistake was not the end of that story, and your mistakes don’t have to be the end of yours. Lean on the Father and lean on His people. We can’t do it alone.
Kristie Brothers
Lean into Jesus Ministries
#kristiebrothersblogs