Hiking a Path Unknown: A Lesson in Endurance

Saturday morning a friend and I walked the Northshore Trail on the shores of Grapevine Lake, my watery neighbor to the south. We had planned a cool expedition with photography, exercise, and personal fulfillment, starting with a sunrise over the lake. But what we hadn't planned was the test of endurance that was soon to follow. The hike started off in the "cool" of the Texas summer morning and we had what looked like about two miles to hike along the shoreline of the lake. Five hours later, we were still hiking. In the heat. The blazing, unyielding Texas heat.

It's funny how tests of endurance can suddenly come out of nowhere. Oh, sure, you can plan a 21-day backpacking trip that you know beforehand is going to be tough, but many of the most memorable and effective tests are unexpected trials.

We set out from Rockledge Park to the east and hiked our way towards Murrell Park, about two miles away (as the crow flies). it was all good for a while. The Texas cool was with us, the breeze coming off the water, and the photo opportunities aplenty. But our decision to park one car at the start and one at the end meant we needed to complete the hike. The hike that looked like it would never end. Up hills and down them; over boulders and under fallen trees. We even took a side-hike around the shoreline -- off the beaten path. Our goal was simple -- we wanted to finish the trail before the sun killed us!

It was hot. We were worn down. The water was running out. But we had to endure. And through a few divine blessings (like shade trees) and a water fountain, we pressed on until we finally got to her car and the air conditioning within. It was hot. It was tough. But we had to endure.

The author of Hebrews said something about endurance. He said endurance is something that becomes easier to do when your path is free from obstacles (Heb 12:1). Isn't that so true? When we were hiking today, the last things we wanted to see were fallen trees blocking the trail and long inclines. When you're hot and tired, those things are not in the slightest bit fun. Yet still, you have to endure. But isn't it so much easier when your trail is free and clear? When you have removed stumbling blocks and set your mind to moving forward, the race becomes much easier to run -- the trail much easier to hike.

Here's another slideshow, this time from our hike. Enjoy!