Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. Weak men create hard times. Hard times create good men.”
–Gene Turney (The Little Ranch in Texas)
“And our hope for you is firm because we know that as you share in the suffering, so you will share in the comfort.”
“And our hope for you is firm because we know that as you share in the suffering, so you will share in the comfort.”
–2 Corinthians 1:7 (HCSB)
———————————-
Trails are often designated by their destination. I have hiked the trail to Blue Lake, the trail to Longs Lake, the trail to… Get what I mean? In days of yore the same was often true. The Oregon Trail was the trail leading the settlers to Oregon, the California Trail to California, and the Santa Fe Trail led merchants and pioneers to Santa Fe. Makes sense doesn’t it?
It took courage to travel one of those early western trails. Even more so, it took fortitude–endurance. Many turned back having not the will to make the arduous journey. Many more died along the way. It is said that on the Oregon Trail if all the people who died were buried along the way, there would be a grave every mile. The biggest killer was cholera, but there were also other diseases, the climate, breakdowns and injuries, river crossing, and the threat of outlaws, renegades, and Indians along the way. It was not an easy trail. The same was true of the Santa Fe Trail. It was primarily from its first trek in 1827, a trail for commerce, but as the nation grew people decided to travel it in hope of a new life. It was used even more often after gold was discovered in Colorado.
These trails were guided by landmarks along the way. There was Scott’s Bluff and Chimney Rock in Nebraska; Independence Rock and Devil’s Gate in Wyoming. Bent’s Fort was built on the Santa Fe Trail just before the cutoff to the southwest. When the travelers spied the Spanish Peaks, they knew they were on the right trail. Landmarks–oh, how vital to finding one’s way. This is true of life, but also true in our spiritual journey as well.
What is the “Bent’s Fort” in your walk along this trail? What are the landmarks you can trust? There are many voices today, many trying to show false landmarks, but there are only a few true ones. The Bible for sure, and within its pages the Ten Commandments are trustworthy landmarks. Watch for them, live by them. The forts are those special resting times you have had with God. Not the everyday devotions and study, but those times when God came to meet with you. A time when you can resupply and get refreshed.
This trail–let’s call it the “Glory Trail”–for it is the trail that leads to glory. Get on the trail and once you are on it follow it to its destination. Don’t be distracted by those who fell along the way, or the lure of riches that are false and temporal. Don’t let the hardships, the suffering, or the renegade false teachers persuade you off the trail. This Glory Trail is not for the faint-hearted for it will try you. But, take heart, you have a guide. Just as those pioneers who traveled the early trails of the West looked to the men who had gone before–the men who knew the trail and the hardships–we look to those great men and women of faith in whose footsteps we follow. Plus, as they did, we have that supreme guide–the Holy Spirit.
So, get on and stay on the “Glory Trail.” I recall the words of Jack Hannah:
“Afraid is what I’m not!
Hard times come and the trail seems always uphill,
Courage is what I’ve got,
The harder it gets, I’m a-cinchin’ up tighter still.
Oh Lord, I’m glad it’s true,
It’s best to lean on You,
Ridin’ up the Glory Trail.
Oh the Glory Trail is a rugged trail, it’ll try you every day,
But the Lord is true and He’ll ride with you, along its narrow way….
Lord it’s plain to see,
You never fail me,
Ridin’ up the Glory Trail;
O Lord, I’m glad it’s true,
I’ve learned to trust in You
Ridin’ up the Glory Trail”
———————————-
Trails are often designated by their destination. I have hiked the trail to Blue Lake, the trail to Longs Lake, the trail to… Get what I mean? In days of yore the same was often true. The Oregon Trail was the trail leading the settlers to Oregon, the California Trail to California, and the Santa Fe Trail led merchants and pioneers to Santa Fe. Makes sense doesn’t it?
It took courage to travel one of those early western trails. Even more so, it took fortitude–endurance. Many turned back having not the will to make the arduous journey. Many more died along the way. It is said that on the Oregon Trail if all the people who died were buried along the way, there would be a grave every mile. The biggest killer was cholera, but there were also other diseases, the climate, breakdowns and injuries, river crossing, and the threat of outlaws, renegades, and Indians along the way. It was not an easy trail. The same was true of the Santa Fe Trail. It was primarily from its first trek in 1827, a trail for commerce, but as the nation grew people decided to travel it in hope of a new life. It was used even more often after gold was discovered in Colorado.
These trails were guided by landmarks along the way. There was Scott’s Bluff and Chimney Rock in Nebraska; Independence Rock and Devil’s Gate in Wyoming. Bent’s Fort was built on the Santa Fe Trail just before the cutoff to the southwest. When the travelers spied the Spanish Peaks, they knew they were on the right trail. Landmarks–oh, how vital to finding one’s way. This is true of life, but also true in our spiritual journey as well.
What is the “Bent’s Fort” in your walk along this trail? What are the landmarks you can trust? There are many voices today, many trying to show false landmarks, but there are only a few true ones. The Bible for sure, and within its pages the Ten Commandments are trustworthy landmarks. Watch for them, live by them. The forts are those special resting times you have had with God. Not the everyday devotions and study, but those times when God came to meet with you. A time when you can resupply and get refreshed.
This trail–let’s call it the “Glory Trail”–for it is the trail that leads to glory. Get on the trail and once you are on it follow it to its destination. Don’t be distracted by those who fell along the way, or the lure of riches that are false and temporal. Don’t let the hardships, the suffering, or the renegade false teachers persuade you off the trail. This Glory Trail is not for the faint-hearted for it will try you. But, take heart, you have a guide. Just as those pioneers who traveled the early trails of the West looked to the men who had gone before–the men who knew the trail and the hardships–we look to those great men and women of faith in whose footsteps we follow. Plus, as they did, we have that supreme guide–the Holy Spirit.
So, get on and stay on the “Glory Trail.” I recall the words of Jack Hannah:
“Afraid is what I’m not!
Hard times come and the trail seems always uphill,
Courage is what I’ve got,
The harder it gets, I’m a-cinchin’ up tighter still.
Oh Lord, I’m glad it’s true,
It’s best to lean on You,
Ridin’ up the Glory Trail.
Oh the Glory Trail is a rugged trail, it’ll try you every day,
But the Lord is true and He’ll ride with you, along its narrow way….
Lord it’s plain to see,
You never fail me,
Ridin’ up the Glory Trail;
O Lord, I’m glad it’s true,
I’ve learned to trust in You
Ridin’ up the Glory Trail”