livewellwithlaurenblogLast weekend I was on a bachelorette trip in Los Angeles, California, but if you know me, you know I like to go on a hike every vacation I go on. So that’s what we did. Two out of the 12 girls on the trip decided to join me. We set off to hike part of the Runyon Canyon Summit.
I absolutely love hiking, being outside, seeing God’s glorious nature, it helps to reset my soul.
Going up the hill is my favorite part, working towards the view that is at the top. Traveling down, now that’s another story.
So here we are on the steepest part of the trail (the part I asked myself while we were traveling up it, how I would ever get down it). I stood there, trying to navigate a good way to get down, while my friends are already half way down. As I was trying to figure it out, I said a simple prayer:
“God, help me.”
Not even a second later, a gentleman with beautiful blue eyes and gentle warm smile walked up with his two dogs; he saw me struggling and asked,
“Do you want to hold my hand as we go down the mountain?”
He smiled and held out his hand for me to hold.
Without hesitation, I said yes, took his hand and the dogs and I started to travel downhill with him with ease.
It wasn’t until the next morning that I realized the significance of that moment.
I was reading Mandy Hale’s book, Beautiful Uncertainty, overlooking the beautiful California mountains, when I read the words of Jesus,
“I am the vine; and you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
“Apart from me you can do nothing.” Once again, I am reminded of my weakness. But how beautiful is it that our Savior’s strength is made perfect in our weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9 I can barely get down a mountain by myself– and that’s okay, because I don’t need to, He will always be there helping and guiding the way through everything we do. With the Lord, we can “bear much fruit,” conquering our wildest dreams.
Going downhill can be scary sometimes, it is slippery, you can lose your footing, possibly fall down and even injure yourself. Life can be a bit scary too– so many uncertainties, not knowing the direction of your life, struggling to make ends meet financially, not being happy with your work, getting bad news about a family member or friend, even going through a break up or divorce. It is in these suffering, painful and downhill moments that we need God’s help the most. How amazing is it that all we have to do is ask? — and He is there with open arms, or in my case a hand to hold.
Last night I opened my Bible to a random page, I looked down at the highlighted words, and tears filled my eyes.
“The human heart plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps.” Proverbs 16:9
Reminding me once again how much I need Jesus in my life, not just as a bystander, but as an active character in the life of Lauren.
“Guide me, Love me, Lead me, Protect me, I need you Lord, all the days of my life.”
In faith, food, and fitness,
Lauren 🙂
PS. God has a great sense of humor. Don’t you know who picked us up from our hike? Jesus, himself! I ordered the uber, and Jesus in a white Toyota corolla came to get us and bring us to lunch.
And you know what else, my favorite Christian song was playing when we got in the car. It made me smile so big. God is great.
