One Step at a Time

By Cindy Goding

This past weekend my husband and I were able to sneak away to Las Vegas for some rest. We spent one day out hiking in The Valley of Fire and it was incredible!. Each time we rounded a corner or crested a cliff the view became better and better. 

On one hike my husband pointed to the tip top of a cliff and said, “Let’s get up there, I bet the view is amazing!”. While my stomach slightly twisted at the thought of being so high on this tiny precipice, I knew he would be right. So up we went. And despite my uncertainty… I kept going. Despite my stomach twisting, I kept going. Despite my urge to turn back around when it seemed too steep, I kept going. And he was right… IT WAS WORTH IT. 

The view was breathtaking. We sat up at the top for a while in silence taking in God’s glorious creation. Stunned at the magnitude of his power and glory looking at the surrounding mountains. 

As we hiked back down the mountain we encountered a few others who were also wanting to hike to the top of the cliff. We encouraged them on, letting them know how worth it was to get to the top. Even though the climb was tough, they would appreciate the work they put in when they saw the 360 view of beauty surrounding them.

It reminded me of Hebrews 12.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so loosely and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Our “race” that we are in is not a sprint, it is a marathon and needs our time and attention. Our battle against sin rages everyday. And every day we must renew our minds so we are able to fight against our human desires. Yet, in this “race of faith”... Jesus is the one who is alongside us urging us onward. Promising that IT IS WORTH IT to stay in the race. To stay the course, to persevere to the top, to keep going when our body feels weary and tired. Jesus is cheering us on as we continue with eyes fixed on him. He is the voice who is proclaiming over us declarations of freedom in the Spirit as we continue on, step by step. Despite our desires to turn around, to give up, to stray off the path, to look for comfort elsewhere... keep going, IT IS WORTH IT!

If I thought the view at the top of the mountain was breathtaking… imagine what heaven will be like…