Joy in the Walk

We have a lot of great state parks in Georgia. Dale and I spent Memorial Day exploring Ft. Yargo State Park. Gas? About $16 (I drive a Civic!). Post-hike dinner at Pappasito's? About $25. Getting out of town and away from the phone and computer? Priceless.

We hiked a great trail around the lake. It’s a loop, about 8 miles. We typically think of life as circular. And, I guess it is, in a sense. An elderly relative dies and a new family member is born. It’s striking how frequently these events occur near each other. And so we talk of the circle of life.

I get that. But I also think the biblical notion of life (time) is really not circular. It is linear. It is going somewhere. You’re never passing this same way again. And even if you do pass the same way it won’t be the same. You’ll be different. The people around you will be different. Your environment will be different.

And yes, the trail we hiked was a loop. But by the time we got back to the beginning we were through! We didn’t see the same thing twice. Except for the turn I missed, which added two miles to the trip (sorry about that Dale J). Hey, it’s like life: serendipity happens!

The Psalmist said, “You make the path of life known to me. Complete joy is in your presence. Pleasures are by your side forever” (Ps16:11,GW). We only pass this way once. We have to get it right. For maximum joy and pleasure we have to follow the path God lays out for us. He won’t disappoint.