Glory Seed Devotionals, 2015: Year of Promise
The Journey to the Chimney Tops
There are some journeys in life that should be finished yet never completed such as the journey to the Chimney Tops. The Journey to Chimney Tops begins at the Chimney Top Trailhead on Newfound Gap Road connecting Tennessee and North Carolina. It is a rugged two mile mountain trail (one way) that twists and turns over massive root systems, over single path bridges, over huge rock formations. The journey rises 1700 feet above the start of the trail.
With only one thought in mind I will make it to the top and I will complete the journey my two year old hips and I began the long difficult journey to the top. About an hour into the journey my body began telling me the journey was too hard but I ignored it and pressed on. Then with only a quarter of a mile left and all my leg strength gone and the pain in my hips increasing Patti convinced me for my own good to turn around so reluctantly we turned around and made our way back to the starting point. Nearly four hours after I started the journey was finished yet I never completed it, I never made it to the top to see the spectacular view of the Sugarland Valley nearly a mile below. I’d given up and the cold sting of defeat hurt deeply.
A couple begins the journey of divorce and learns what real love means and their marriage becomes stronger. The journey was completed but never finished.
A child begins the journey of independence discovers no one can ever be completely independent and in so doing learns the value of parenthood. The journey was completed but never finished.
A man loses his job and begins the journey of giving up discovers others care about him and soon his career takes a turn for the better. The journey was completed but never finished.
A woman loses her husband and begins the journey of giving up discovers other care about her and soon discovers just how precious memories really are. The journey was completed but never finished.
A couple discovers one of them has a serious illness begins the journey of giving up yet soon learn they are not alone and begin to draw strength for journey from others. The journey was completed but never finished.
A man starts out on what appears to be a life changing experience yet along the way discovers rather than life changing it becomes life threatening and stares into the mask of defeat. Yet later the man discovers the mask of defeat is his own creation that really it is the face of God he sees and his life is forever changed. The journey was completed but never finished.
At the starting point standing with tears in my eyes and defeat burning in my heart I again felt the cold sting of defeat. Then all of sudden I realized even though I would never see the world from the Chimney Tops there are other things more important and defeat need not dictate what must yet come to pass out of God’s ultimate plan for our lives. We live each moment in God’s presence and when we acknowledge his presence he is able lead us along his chosen path.
It was in the summer of 2001 when Patti and I started out on the Chimney Top Trailhead and while I am still disappointed we didn’t make it to the top the words of the Holy Spirit I felt that day still have a special place in my heart and have over the years forever changed my life. “There are some journey’s in life that should be finished yet never completed because what you experience on the journey is often more important than completing the journey itself.”
Anticipate! Experience! Believe! Be transformed!
Grace and PEACE, Amen!
Gary
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Glory Seed Devotionals: Encouraging Words of God’s Presence in our World!
Glory Seed Devotionals: Encouraging Words of God’s Presence in our World!
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