Hiking at night brings with it dangers and hazards that we may not encounter during a day hike. We cannot see nearly as far up the trail. The darkness hides familiar landmarks and renders those you can see in totally alien terms. On a dark night, depth perception becomes a guessing game. A whole new set of animals comes out to play along with other perils, both real and imagined, that can make the hike much scarier. We have our map, a GPS Unit, a very strong headlamp and the other necessary provisions, so let’s begin.
When we think about life’s trek, it is a lot like hiking at night. You must keep your eyes on the trail and focus on the direction that you are going but not forget the importance of checking your map or GPS. If you are leading the expedition, you must be aware that those who follow you need your guidance and assurance that you know where you are heading and that you will safely lead them on the trail you are on for this hike.
I like to plan and set goals for both our personal lives and business, and in reality, life and business are one because each aspect is integrated in my life. It is important to have your plans so that you can make choices that are prudent and wise. Your plans and goals are the GPS that you are following. As we move through each day of life, it is like hiking at night. We need to prepare, but as we are hiking we can only see a few feet in front of us. None of us has the guarantee of tomorrow. We need to live as if we are to die tomorrow, but plan as if we are going to live forever.
While hiking at night can seem scarier than hiking the same trail during the day, you cannot let that perception cloud your judgment. If you worry about “night sounds” or the “things that go bump in the night” just because you can’t see as far as you would like, you will never make progress and be stranded on your trail.
We all have occasions when we allow our doubts and fears to overwhelm us, but this is wasted energy and effort. As a Christ follower, I am convinced that God has all things under His control, but I have to constantly combat trying to control everything myself and being anxious when I cannot.
How soon I forget the words the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the church in Philippi Chapter 4 verse 6, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”
We have to plan well, but live in the moment, making the best of every opportunity and realizing that “everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry…God never blinks. ”
We need to not worry about a future that may or may not come. We must choose to enjoy the journey, enjoy every moment, and quit worrying about winning and losing.
Jesus put it best in his words from Matthew 6:25-34, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?”
So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
I encourage you to plan and prepare your life as if you would live another 100 years. Also, live in such a way that each day you are creating a living legacy, but understand that as you are hiking along life’s trail at night you can only see a few feet in front of you. Also, realize that you do have a map and GPS (God’s Word and your plans). Although there will be scary times and many things you do not understand, you need to continue to take one step at a time. You will eventually reach your destination, and as you trek through the night, the sun will eventually crest over the mountaintops and soon be in the full light of day.
Remember this quote from Bobby McFerrin, “In every life, we have some trouble, but when you worry you make it double. Don’t worry. Be happy.”
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