A few years ago, our family was planning a trip to New Mexico for a little time away. I was actually attending some training at a Christian camp and my family was tagging along. The boys were very young, their ages would have been 6, 4 and 2. I had built up the trip to the boys – there was going to be lots of fun things to do. My big push was telling them we would go hiking.
I grew up hiking and climbing and experiencing all the adventure of exploration that comes with it. So the day came that we were going to climb one of the mountains near the camp – we were finally going hiking. The boys were excited to start this new adventure.
About 10 minutes into the hike, one of the boys asked, “When are we going to start hiking?” I thought this was a funny question and quickly replied, “That is what we are doing.” His reply back to me was very insightful: “This is just walking!”
Oh the wisdom that sometimes comes from a child! We were just walking. The hype of hiking and exploring had been reduced to just “walking.” Needless to say, we did not make it to the top of that mountain that day. Interest quickly began to fade. The journey the boys were expecting was not at all what they were experiencing – so they just wanted to turn around and go home.
I was reading Colossians 2:6 today and it reminded me of this little hiking experience. Paul told the church at Colosse that just as they had received Christ (the instruction and understanding of Jesus) so now they should walk in Him – “you have been taught what it means to follow Jesus – now live it.”
Sometimes the journey we find ourselves on is not at all what we expected – just walk.
Sometimes things come our we that we didn’t expect – just walk.
Sometimes we don’t feel like going on – just walk.
Jesus promises to always be with us no matter what life brings our way – we simply must trust in Him and keep walking!
Clay in the Hands 
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