When I came to the Pocono Mountain Bible Conference for my first
Reading and Prayer Week in May 2010, my good friend Marty, the Director of the
camp, took me to the Lackawanna State Forest. We drove about 1½ miles into the
State Forest. We parked the car and began a ¾ mile walk up to the Pine Hill
Vista. The change in elevation from this parking area to the vista was
approximately 200 feet. It was a very challenging walk – or climb – over a
short distance.
I
have returned to the Lackawanna State Forest several times over the years to
walk up Pittston Road turning onto Pine Hill Road continuing until I reach the
vista. The first 1½ miles of Pittston Road is a gradual uphill walk that
doesn’t require a lot of physical stamina. However, when you turn the corner
onto Pine Hill Road and start your steady climb up toward the vista, you
realize very quickly that the last ¾ of a mile will require strength and
endurance.
I was reminded during my prayer walk on Wednesday of Paul’s
words in Philippians 3:
Not that I have already obtained this or
am already perfect, but I press on
to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not
consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies
behind and straining forward to what
lies ahead, 14 I press on
toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14)
I quickly walked the first 1¾ miles of Pittston Road feeling
pretty good about myself. I wasn’t breathing hard, my hips, knees and ankles
were holding up well. I turned onto Pine Hill Road and looked at the steady
climb and thought, “This shouldn’t be too bad. It isn’t that far to the vista
and I have done pretty well to this point.†So with a sense of confidence –
rather, overconfidence – I began my climb.
It wasn’t bad at first. I kept a steady pace and covered the
first portion of Pine Hill rather quickly. However, it didn’t take long for the
battle of the body to begin. My breathing became labored and my thighs began to
burn. I noticed sweat pouring down my forehead and my shirt was soon soaked
through. That should be expected for a heavy set, 51 year-old man.
The greater challenge, however, was the battle of my mind. The
¾ mile walked up the hill to the vista seemed endless. Every time I turned a
bend in the road I expected to see my destination. But more often, I only saw
another bend in the road. I began to wonder if the effort was worth it. I had
been to the vista several times before. It couldn’t have changed that much. It
certainly would be easier to turn around and head back down the hill and just
look at pictures of the Pine Hill Vista from previous years. No. The words press on kept going through my mind over
and over. Strain forward for what lies
ahead.
I eventually turned the last bend in the
road and saw before me the observation deck. I had reached the Pine Hill Vista!
It was worth the climb. The views from the observation deck are spectacular.
You can see the snow on the hillside at Montage Ski Resort 25 miles to the
north. And you can see the city of Wilkes-Barre 30 miles to the west.
But there is something else you can do when you reach the
vista. Rest. As I stood taking in all
that my eye could see, my breathing returned to normal, my legs stopped
hurting, and my mind was refreshed. I had reached my destination and could take
as much time as I wanted to rest. It was all downhill from here.
The Lord taught me some lessons Wednesday
morning. Living life is not much different than walking to the Pine Hill Vista.
There is a great destination that awaits us. The writer to the Hebrews calls it
a place of rest. However, we battle the world, the flesh and the devil as we
run the race – or walk to the vista.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud
of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so
closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2
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.
(Hebrews 12:1-2)
God
has promised that the journey is worth it. It may be difficult now as you
battle the burden and weariness of sin. But the prize awaits us. Run, or walk,
with endurance and keep looking toward Jesus!
As I walked back to the car, I reflected on
the already/not yet promise of resting in Christ my Savior. The battle against
sin still lies before me. But God has given me the power and the grace necessary to
press on, straining forward for what lies
ahead.
To God
be the glory!