The one who scatters has come up against you. Man the fortress, watch the road; strengthen your back, summon all your strength.
Nahum 2:1 (NASB95)
The notorious “Roller Coaster” is a 13.5-mile section of Appalachian Trail (AT) in northern Virginia. It consists of a number of tightly compressed 300 to 500-foot rock laden ascents and descents. It is a challenge for everyone, and for more than few a real butt kicker.
It is not the elevation gain and loss that gives this section of trail its butt kicking superpowers. It is the “constant” ups and downs, one after another on a rock-strewn trail that gives this section of AT its notoriety. Thus the “warning.”
The “Roller Coaster” does show some mercy to all who show up for the ride though. It bestows several water sources along the way. This allows you to carry less weight and keeps the water on the cooler side, whether you are dumping it down your back or down your throat.
It was later in the day when my brother-in-law, Jackrabbit, and I hit the “Roller Coaster,” so we did not do the entire 13.5-mile section in one day. We did 4 miles the first day and 9.5 the next and thus we did not bear its full intensity. Even so, we were grateful at its conclusion to be able to see further down a more complimentary trail ahead of us and find more dirt than rocks to tread upon. 😊
Warnings are not always telling us to stay away from something as was the case with the “Roller Coaster.” Sometimes they are a heads-up to sweep out the cobwebs, gear up, get ready for challenge! 😊
Sometimes the difference between success and failure in these trying situations is simply knowing that an extra challenge you may be facing does not just have a beginning, but that it has a conclusion as well. The “Roller Coasters” challenge ended after 13.5 miles. No matter what had to be faced during all those rocky ups and downs, in 13.5 miles it would all be behind me.
There were a few times when the weather and trail conditions were so bad that I literally had to think one step at a time. That was all the emotional and physical strength I had to give. After each step I knew I had enough in me to take another one. I had to keep taking one step at a time until I took that final step out of and away from the daunting challenge. I knew it was down the AT somewhere. I just had to make it that far, even if the need for one step at a time lasted until I finally stepped out of my boots and into my tent for the night or at the end of my hike and back into my car to come home.
The Psalms are such a great companion to turn to for help and encouragement during these browbeating times.
One such Psalm is, May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion, Psalm 20:1–2 (NIV).
The one I probably quoted the most was Psalm 121:1–3, I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; (which is easy to do on the AT)😊 from where shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber, (NASB95).
I never once put my foot on the AT without expressing my desire and gratitude to my God and Savior that we were doing this hike together. Acknowledging before I took a single step that He is my strength and hope in ALL places and matters of life. I could never catalog all the conversations we have enjoyed together, the assistance He has provided me along the way, and yes, even the warnings He would contribute on a regular basis.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:30–31 (NKJV)
Two or three section hikes into my AT adventure, the Lord gave me a little saying to quote each time I would hear one of His warnings. It went like this, “Do the first time, what you wish you would have done the first time.” I said that quote the rest of the way to the end of my AT adventure; and beyond actually. Why stop a good thing, right?! 😊
The saying was one, God’s way of giving me a warning within the warning! It was God giving me a double heads-up! “Sweep out the cobwebs! Gear up! Get ready for a challenge!”
Two, it was God also saying, “Don’t take unnecessary chances! Don’t be overconfident! Don’t think this doesn’t apply to you! Do what you should do the first time, so you don’t have to wish you did later!”
I could not tell you how many times that quote came to my mind, but I can tell you it caused me to shift down in my gait and turn my brights on in my head. It even caused me to pull over to the shoulder more than a few times to further assess the situation before proceeding devoting the caution the situation warranted.
I do not know how much anguish God’s double warning may have saved me from, but even if it was once, it was enough to merit my gratitude.
Warnings whether on the AT or elsewhere, are generally the product of love and concern for the welfare of others. That is certainly the case “every time” with God. So how does that translate when we turn a deaf ear to the warnings of those who love us and to God in particular? It certainly does not reciprocate the same love and regard in return. It is generally more than a little disrespectful, and at times it can be downright shocking. ☹
The greatest product of love and concern that could ever be ignored is found in John 14:6 and Acts 4:12. Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. … Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (NKJV)
To reject God’s warning to accept Jesus as our Savior for our sin is the ultimate slap in the face of One who loved us enough to literally die a horrendous death on our behalf. It is a decision, if made, that one will have all of eternity to regret. ☹
Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Romans 13:11–12 (ESV)
The next time we see a warning, or God impresses one upon us, let us step back a few moments before continuing our life’s journey and consider the perspective of the one giving the warning. Then, let us do the first time what we wish we would have done the first time so that we may live with no regrets. 😊
Faith Aids 