I won’t lie to you… I was pretty scared. Our family was driving back to Chicago for our oldest daughter’s graduation from college. We stopped in at Zion National Park and were on the famous “Angels Landing” trail which is consistently cited as one of the world’s most dangerous hikes. It is not hard to see why: long lines of hikers, huge drops and slippery sandstone can make for a deadly combination. Thirteen hikers have fallen and died from Angels Landing, or the trail to it, since 2000, including two earlier this year. Yet the popularity of this hike draws a huge number of adventurers each year. In 2019 it is estimated that 1000 people a day braved the treacherous hike. Why is that? Valorie and I went about ¾ of the way up but then we pulled off to the side of the trail. I think I was hugging a tree at that point.
Ephesians 5:15 says, “Look carefully how you walk…” The apostle Paul wasn’t talking about literally falling off a cliff or even skinning a knee. He used the word picture to communicate our need to examine and consider our pattern of life carefully and intentionally. Our life choices and actions can cause others and us pain and injury, but long term they determine our eternal destination. Read over Ephesians 5 to prepare for Sunday’s message in our series “Beloved – Welcome to the Family of God”.
How did our hike end? Was I airlifted off the mountain? No, we made it down safely under our own power, but after our kids went ahead and hiked the rest of the trail. On Sunday I’ll share the importance of knowing our limits as well as why it is important and fulfilling to push ourselves out of our comfort zones. Isaiah 52:7 says, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
There’s a reason people choose steep and dangerous pathways. The Christian life is not all about comfort and safety. Sometimes God calls us to risk. Jesus said in Matt 7:13-14, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
And speaking of hard walking – Ephesians 5:1 says “And walk in love as Christ loved us…” Once again we have the opportunity to show our love for one another. This past week the County of Santa Clara has asked that while indoors, regardless of vaccination status, you wear a mask. I’ve been so impressed by your willingness to show love during COVID regardless of your stance on the issues of the day. We continue to offer three options for how you join us – In person inside our worship center and in person outdoors on the grass at 10:45am. Masking is optional outdoors. We continue to welcome our online church family live at 10:45am (https://valleychurch.org/v/sunday-worship-service/). You can also watch it afterward in the same location.
As my father-in-law Jack Popjes likes to sign his blogs: Take care …but sometimes take a risk,
Kurt