Responsible and Rescued

I hopped in the car after the hike with more than just red dirt in my shoes.

Teachings and trailheads.

I’ve only liked to hike the last couple of years; a mixed result of improved appreciation for the world the Lord created and perhaps some increased athletic capability.

A recent trip to Amarillo allowed spontaneous exploration of the flatlands and tumbleweeds.

I had many warnings of the heat and humidity Texas would offer, but luckily I caught an overcast week and only dripped a fair amount of sweat.

One afternoon we found a trailhead in Paulo Duro Canyon. We had with us only casual clothes, an almost-filled bottle of water, and about 2 hours ‘til the desert sunset.

With little understanding of how long the trail was or how long it’d take, but a great degree of enthusiasm to see the destination we’d admired in pictures framed in the hotel lobby, we set on out.

Leaving the parking lot and approaching the trail head, we came across a sign.

#ResponsibleNotRescued

This helpful Texan creature dawned with SPF and a gallon of water got a few laughs out of me and Rachel, but planted a little seed of doubt in our spontaneity resulting in a lack of preparation.

But the weather was cooling off and we didn’t plan on being back in Texas anytime soon, so we started the quick 6 or so miles into the canyon.

Only a time or two did I wish for more water, but Happy conversation, perspectives dripped in awe and appreciation for the current experience did more for this relatively inexperienced hiker than proper shoes or more water could have.

Several simple moments walking along the sandy path left me so content. And not once did we need rescuing.

More than water and sunscreen.

Maybe we were lucky to have missed the heat wave that came a few weeks later, maybe we should have felt a little more dehydrated than we did - but the lesson for me had little to do with my physical preparation.

Because I’d set out with intention and excitement for what was to come, my experience was positive.

When a path is pursued with motivation derived from faith in Christ, bumps in the road lie blameless, necessary, and purposeful.

The same path pursued in begrudging obligation or fear meets the same bumps with feelings of abandonment, doubt, or desire to turn back.

---

I hopped in the car after the hike with more than just red dirt in my shoes.

I left with the message from a wooden painted sign pressed into my heart and attitude toward my walk of mortality -

I am responsible for a focus on the One who rescues.

Prepared with a connection to Him will make every hike a fruitful one.

#HearHim