Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy
Welcome to Day 98 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.
This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom.
Life is Like Hiking at Night
Thank you for joining us for our 7 day a week, 7 minutes of wisdom podcast.This is Day 98 of our Trek. The past two days we explored the four zones of life, or as we referred to them as trails, where we can choose to spend most of our time. As much as is feasible we need to hike on the Trail of Genius where we can reach our full potential.
One interesting point, though, is that on the Trail of Genius, the trail ahead of us is less predictable. Sometimes we are not be able to know more than a short distance where the trail will take us. This is how life is. None of us know with certainty the future, so our trek of life is like hiking at night with a headlamp on. We can see a short distance in front of us, but if we continue on, we will see far enough to hike the entire distance. So today, we are taking a nighttime hike to prepare us for the various seasons that we will encounter in life.
We are recording our podcast from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. Today we were able to invest time with four of our grandkids watching the Washington County Fair Parade. After that, we went and looked at a modular home that Nat and Elizabeth are considering purchasing as they are looking to build out in the country. Then we headed back to The Big House for the afternoon for some fish sticks and ice cream. It was a great time together with our grandchildren. We always enjoy the time we have together. I also spent some additional time preparing for the lessons that I will be teaching at church the next couple of Sundays.
It is time to break camp now and since we are going for a night hike, we need to prepare all the necessary gear for tonight’s trek. 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, and 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 they are one because all of life is integrated into my personal 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 have 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:
We need to not worry about a future that may or may not come. We must chose 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 hundred 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, that 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.”
On our night Trek, we learned to trust our headlamp, map, and GPS to get us through the dark and scary times. So, join us tomorrow for another Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy, and we will explore some more life’s lessons learned from hiking.
Well, that will finish our podcast for today. If you missed any of our previous podcasts, please check out Wisdom-Trek on iTunes, Stitcher, SoundCloud, Spreaker, YouTube, or Wisdom-Trek.com.
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Thank you!
The journal from this podcast can be found at Wisdom-Trek.com, where we also have pictures, tweetable quotes, wisdom nuggets, and free resources.
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If you are interesting in hiking, check out this great comprehensive article on Top 50 Long Distance Hiking Trails In The USA http://bootbomb.com/info/hiking-trails/top-50-long-distance-hiking-trails-usa/
This link is provided with permission by Brian Bradshaw of http://bootbomb.com
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Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.
As we take this Trek together, let us always:
- Live Abundantly (Fully)
- Love Unconditionally
- Listen Intentionally
- Learn Continuously
- Lend Generously
- Lead with Integrity
- Leave a Living Legacy Each Day
This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy the Journey, and Create a Great Day! See you tomorrow!
I’m happy to have had a chance to get acquainted with your approach to the noble task of sharing wisdom with others. I’ll look forward to further contact through Freedym Academy and otherwise. –Philip Dale Smith aka GrandpaDale.