Original post-December 22, 2012

Wendy and I have always loved the outdoors and over the years as our kids were growing up, we took them on many camping and hiking trips. They always loved getting near the top, getting to that point in the trail where there was barely a trail, the point where it was more like hand-over-hand climbing than hiking. For one thing, it was fun but they also knew that just beyond was a spectacular view, that the tough climb at the end was all worth it.

As I stand here this morning, with a mere 7 days to go before we leave for South Africa, I pause for just a moment on this trail to catch my breath. I look back at how far we’ve come, thinking about the rough and rocky terrain we’ve covered in the last nine months, the “scraped knees” and the “cuts and scratches” from the “thorns” and “brush” we’ve come through, the unexpected obstacles we’ve had to cross. To this point, we have gone mile by mile.

I look around at where we are, with all that needs to be done, think about how I had it all planned out and how we’ve had to give up our plan and give in to God’s plan…to trust Him completely and more deeply than we’ve ever had to before.

I take a moment to look ahead at the next 7 days. The path is barely visible. It is so steep and rocky, so thick with vines and thorns. We are tired, our muscles ache, and we have the toughest part of the climb right in front of us…hand-over-hand, foot by foot, only able to see one step in front of us.

BUT, at this point, there IS NO turning back, we have come TOO FAR, sacrificed TOO MUCH, and worked TOO HARD, to give up now. All the adversity we have faced has done nothing but strengthen our resolve that we are on the right path and make us all the more determined to reach the top! I KNOW that just ahead, just beyond, the path will suddenly open up and we will behold the most spectacular view of God’s Glory and the destiny He has for us.