I hope you’re enjoying the wonderful autumn weather. I am, too—I’ve been hiking so much to take in the perfect weather and colorful foliage that my wife says I’m addicted. My response: “Only when it is beautiful autumn weather!” Once it gets colder, my enthusiasm will fade, but for now, I’ll keep hiking.

One of my favorite recent hikes was Buzzard Rock near Front Royal, Virginia. The moderate, rocky trail climbed two miles uphill, but it was fun. A couple and I passed each other and chatted on the way up. At the summit, they took photos, including a selfie, and took a short break for water and a snack. After I took my photos, I sat nearby to eat my packed lunch while they said goodbye and headed back down. As I ate, I wondered how they could spend only ten minutes enjoying the view after two hours of climbing. It reminded me of the scene in National Lampoon’s Vacation when the wife of Chevy Chase’s character asks, “Don’t you want to see the Grand Canyon?” He puts an arm around her, takes a look, and declares, “It’s great!” Then they head straight back to their car.

I like mountaintop experiences to last longer than ten minutes, so I pack a lunch, take photos, and people-watch to savor the time spent enjoying God’s creation. The views are wonderful; the climbs are less so, and I’d rather avoid deep-shadowed valleys—but all are part of life. We’d all like life to be full of mountaintop moments, like Peter witnessing Jesus transfigured and speaking with Moses and Elijah on Mount Horab. Peter wanted to build tents so they all could stay, and we, too, want such moments to last forever.

Unfortunately, we can’t live on mountaintops forever; we must return to everyday life. Yet these experiences sustain us. I find it easier to feel close to God on a mountaintop than on a stressful workday, in DC traffic, or especially in dark times. Psalm 23:4 reminds us, “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not fear, for thou art with me.” It can be hard to believe God is with us then, but Petra’s song, “Road to Zion,” encourages us: “Sometimes a shadow, dark and cold, lies like a mist across the road, be encouraged, by the sight, where there’s a shadow, there’s a light.” God is always with us, especially in the shadows.

Remember that mountaintop experiences sustain us through ordinary, tedious, stressful, and dark days: “But the joy is not where we’ve been; joy is who’s waiting at the end.” We’re running the race set before us, and God is with us every step of the way, ready to welcome us home. Thank you, God!

Take care,

Bill R