“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”
Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT
One of the many virtues I learned in seventeen years of children’s ministry is perseverance. Being a Children’s Pastor is not for the faint of heart!
I recently took a trip to Phoenix, Arizona with a childhood friend. We went to a Christian conference. It was a chance for me to connect with my friend, hear some great Christian teaching and to see my son.
Before the conference, I took my friend on a hike around Fountain Hills. It’s near the church I served in Scottsdale. I loved hiking around the fountain when I was out there. It was a great start to our trip.
The Monday after the conference, my friend and I decided the first hike was so fun, we wanted to take another hike. I asked my son if he would join us. He was off on President’s day, so it was perfect timing. We weren’t specific. We figured any old hike would do. Garrett mentioned that he had wanted to hike Piestewa Peak. I was ignorant, and said, ok.. Sounds good to me! Well… I had no idea what kind of hike it would be. I had done some hikes around the region when we lived out in Scottsdale, but I had no idea what I was in for!!
What I didn’t know… Is that Piestewa Peak is the second-highest point in the Phoenix Mountains, after Camelback Mountain, and the third-highest in the city of Phoenix. The trail climbs over 1,200 feet in 1.2 miles. Just over a mile sounds easy, right? I went into this hike not expecting the challenges that I faced. When we finished the trail we saw this sign:
Honestly, I am so glad I didn’t see this sign until the end… the description of the trail said: Long rocky segments with possible drops and exposure. The surface had loose rock with continual unevenness and described the trail as a steep incline with some rock climbing. Rock climbing? My friend and I wanted a nice, leisurely hike. We’re moms with adult children! She’s a grandmother. What did my son talk us into???!!!
When my son was ten-years-old, we sent him to church camp. The boys’ cabin was in the woods and about a half-mile uphill hike from the rest of the camp. My son nicknamed the path to the cabin “The Trail of Tears.” I’m pretty sure he took us on the Piestewa Peak hike just to get back at me!
All of us have trials and sorrows, yet if we saw those obstacles ahead of us, would we really sign up for life’s hike? Much like what my friend and I faced on our hike, I don’t believe we would have taken the risk, much less step out in faith if we knew what we were in for.
So let me ask you, what are some of the mountains are you facing?
- For some of us, it could a health crisis
- For some of us, it could be a job loss
- For some of us, it could be the loss of a loved one
- For some of us, it could be that you are home-schooling your children during this pandemic
God wants to walk with you during this season. He wants you to continue to hike that mountain and face that mountain knowing He is with you.
Stay tuned for Perseverance, Part Two…
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