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Checking the Boxes

As you might be aware, Mally and I are seasonal workampers at the Kaibab Lodge located on the north rim of the Grand Canyon. We are having a great time meeting people from around the world. I am a shuttle driver moving our guests between the north and south rims of the Grand Canyon. It is about four-hundred and fifty miles (10 hours) round trip. It sounds tiring, and it is in one sense; however, the scenery is spectacular and I eat lunch on the porch of the Bright Angel Lodge every time I make a trip. I also get to watch people from all over. What a hoot! Mally works in the lodge making reservations, dealing with guests, working the bar/restaurant and various other tasks. She loves it! All this has nothing to do with today's post. It is just a way of catching you up on what we are up to these days.


My youngest son, Josh, was planning to make a trip out to see us in October, but this has fallen through for now. As we were talking about him coming out, Mally had the wonderful idea of Josh and I hiking from rim to rim. I thought what a grand idea. And then memory of past experiences of hiking started to pop up. My first thought was of our ( Mally and my) inaugural hike. It was a very pretty trail of about three miles. Because we were novice hikers, who were pretty ignorant regarding trail markers, we became a little disoriented as to our location on the trail. Mally and I were able to turn a three-mile hike into ten. It was crazy. We walked to a turn, then another, followed by another until I started to recognize many features. Fortunately, we were able to find the perimeter road.


After a little discussion, we decided to go left. Once again, turn after turn promised to lead us to our truck. It was full of disappointments. Mally told me to stop saying "it is just around the bend". The promised end was nothing short of frustrating. Finally, I told her to relax by a tree and I would go for the truck. She was quick to remind me hikers are never to leave their party. We eventually came to the truck, but I could barely get my legs up onto the running board. I was absolutely worn out. Mally was right there with me in the misery.


My thoughts didn't end there. We recently paid a visit to the south rim and walked down the Bright Angel Trail to the first arch. It is only about a mile down the trial. It was late in the day and we just wanted to get the sense of what it might take to walk the trail. It was a little warm, but not unbearable. The walk down was uneventful. All of it was downhill with wood timber steps across the width of the trail. We ran across many "tourist hikers". You know, the ones who have their water in a Walmart bag, walking in crocks or flips, and blue jeans. It is obvious there was no planning, just flat-out impromptu hiking. We had our packs but, were traveling light because we knew it was just for a short walk.


Having made it to the first arch, which is no real feat of hiking prowess, we decided to return to the trailhead. That is kind of when and where it went south. I'm saying to you, "the wheels fell off the cart" for me. There are a ton of switchbacks to make the steep incline doable. We were passing hikers traveling up and down the trail. Some looked tired but, focused. Others appeared to be tiring but, determined to finish. A few oddballs where actually running back up to the trailhead. And then there was that couple I spoke of before who announced how they had come the last few miles of the trail in a great time. I didn't like them very much. I described most of these things in my post "Cairns of the Word."


So, as I was recalling my adventures in hiking, I decided to look (as usual) at a few of the YouTuber’s sites on hiking; especially the BAT (Bright Angel Trail). Without exception, all of their thoughts centered around being prepared; physically, through training, knowledge, study of maps/guidebooks, and emotionally, through gearing oneself for the challenge. I can say for certain; no one said it would be a cakewalk. I am now in my initial stage of preparation. I have been reading of the experiences of others and how they overcame trying situations. I have been studying up on what the bare necessities are required for the hike. You know, things like water, food, sunscreen, electrolytes, snacks, tent if staying overnight, hat, trek poles, good boots, extra socks, etc.


Even little things like trimming your toenails to avoid losing them due to the steep, downhill decent. It happens. Step after step, your jamb your toes into the end of your boots causing trauma to the nail bed. It has happened to me when working on steep inclines. You need extra water bottles or a water filter to capture the spring water if needed. You must not forget a compass, map, multi-function knife, string, first-aid kit, and well the list keeps going. What I am saying is simple: "You must be prepared to hike in many different ways; all of which are critical to your success." It always helps to make a list and then check the boxes the night before to ensure you are ready.


"Steve, you always say you want to apply a spiritual aspect to your posts." Ok, this is what I have for today. When you want to be a successful follower of Jesus Christ, you have to be prepared. You just cannot walk through life as a Christian, thinking everything will be "hunky-dory". That is a thing, right? Always rosy. Always perfect. Always life without challenge. NO! It is not that simple. It was not simple for Jesus during his life and ministry. It was not easy for Paul, Peter, James, John, or any of the other apostles. It was not easy for the martyrs who gave up their lives for the gospel; those burned at the stake, beheaded, and sawn asunder in ages past.

If you need to be prepared to hike the Canyon, as a Christian you MUST be prepared to represent Jesus in all you say and do. This means you need to check the boxes of your walk. For instance, first and foremost, you have to check the box of your salvation. Have you definitely given your life to follow Christ no matter the cost. This means, have you done a 180 degree turn away from a sinful life toward a life spent following Jesus?


It is actually pretty easy to tell if you have done this. Do you watch t.v.? If so, are you watching the same worldly shows you watched before or have you decided to stop watching "R" rated (or worse) shows? What about music and its content? What about the jokes you once told or listened to? Do they still make you laugh? Do you still want to tell them? How about the gossip at the water fountain or the breakroom? Do you still want to hear what your co-workers are saying about each other. It is just as bad to listen to the gossip as to spread it.


I have asked this before, "did you give back that extra change the clerk gave to you by mistake?" It is a little thing, or is it? That is a few of the boxes. How about the Word of God? Is the bible resting on your coffee table or are you reading and studying it? A simple way to tell is when you pick it up. Isthere a clear area where your bible sets on the table? If so, you have not picked it up in a while. Just as a side, if you are not going to read it, study it, look to it for guidance, then give it away because it is doing you absolutely no good at all. I know this sounds tough, but can you argue it?


Prayer life is a box we often struggle with because of the obvious reason; we do not pray, at least not like we should. Then there is interaction with others. That box includes loving others, serving others, and most importantly, forgiving others. Continual repentance is another box. Yes, it has to do with your salvation, but continual means every time you sin, you seek forgiveness through repentance. Oh, you didn't think Christians still sin? Don't kid yourself. We sin a lot. The difference is a Christian who hates the sin they commit compared to the wanna-be Christian who feels no sense of remorse after they sin. You can check the box if every time you sin, your first impulse is to turn to God and seek his forgiveness.


Hikers have lots of boxes to check for a successful hike. When they have done all the prep-work and the hike is over, they relax, revel in the victory, and then soon after, begin the prep-work for the next hike. Christians have lots of boxes to check as well for a successful walk following Jesus. At best, hikers only have a certain number of hikes in their lives. Christians on the other hand, have an unending number of trials, challenges, and opportunities to "walk their talk". Every day is filled with boxes to check. Every day is filled with possibilities. We can fail today and be victorious tomorrow or even the same day.


I can only suggest the boxes for you to check. You could have more boxes, but, I guarantee you have at the very least the above boxes. I implore you reader, get into the Word of God. Let it soak into your very soul, into your very core as one who desires to honor God in your daily life. Let it teach you, challenge you, guide you, rebuke you, and build you into the man or woman God wants you to be in your life. I promise, you will have NO regrets!

Check the boxes! Be prepared for victory.


Wear Jesus Well,

Blessings, Steve






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