Our family loves outdoor activities, and one of those is hiking. We've hiked locally and we've hiked out west at 9,000 ft. above sea level. Recently, we hiked a local trail where it ends or joins up with the Appalachian Trail. If you are not familiar with it, the AT is the trail spanning over 10+ states with endpoints in Maine and Georgia. The beauty of creation at the top of some of these trails or at stopping points along the way is just breathtaking! And if you are at high altitude out west, it literally takes your breath away since it's harder to breathe at high elevation - haha :)
As autumn is in full swing, on the recent hike, we saw lots of pretty red and yellow leaves. There were also a lot of big rocks, not boulder size, but about the size of very large pumpkins with beautiful white sparkly granite streaks in some of them. I was looking down so much enjoying the leaves and the rocks that I got off the path several times. I had to look up and look ahead to where the trail was outlined to get back on the right path. My husband also had to guide me back onto the path a few times because Yours Truly was so distracted by the beauty all around!
In our path of life, we sometimes get distracted from our goals. We can be distracted with good things or not-so-positive things that are right in front of us right now that we forget to look up and look ahead to refocus on the path and the goal. So we unintentionally stray off course. What are some life goals and how do we get distracted? More importantly, how do we get back on track?
If you are a student, one of your goals is likely to finish school. Why should you finish school? You should finish so that you can get a good job, be a productive citizen to support yourself and maybe help others who might be in need. A distraction could be a romantic relationship, but don't let that distract you into thinking you should get married and finish school later. Sometimes that works but other times life gets busy after you are married, and it doesn't happen. Another distraction could be a great job offer before you finish school. You might be tempted to think that if you have a great-paying job you don't need a degree. But many companies put a premium on degrees when considering promotions. Without one, you might get passed over for promotions. This happened to a friend of mine.
Yet, a life event you have no control over could throw you off course. A little over 10 years ago, I was in a Master's program at a local university. I was in the middle of my last course when my daddy passed away. He had lived a long and healthy life and was on the eve of turning 90 when it happened. Still, it totally rocked my world and I just wanted to quit school. I was so devastated that I didn't want to do anything. A very good friend and colleague helped guide me back on track. She asked me a simple question, "Susan, what would your dad want you to do?" Of course, the answer was that he would want me to finish. So I did.
A couple of years ago, a younger friend of mine quit her job after having a baby to be a stay-at-home mom. It was her goal long before she was married. She wanted to be there for baby's first smile, first crawl, first words - ALL the "firsts." She told me it was hard work but she thoroughly enjoyed it. However, some months into it, she told me that all her friends were going back to work and she wondered if she should be and if she was missing out on something. She started looking for work, but was struggling with scheduling for interviews and conflicting feelings. I asked her if her goal was still to be home to see all the changes with her baby. She said, "Yes." So she did.
If you love mentoring or encouraging people, don't let the current pandemic with Covid-19 stop you. You could always get together with people outside, over the phone, or via video meetings. There are ways to stay safe if you want to stay on course of what you feel God has called you to do. A lot of people need encouragement especially during times like these. I would encourage you to stay on course and use your gift.
Don't have goals or wonder if you are on the right path? I encourage you to pray and seek the Lord. God is the Giver of life and He has a plan for you. Two verses come to mind: Jeremiah 29:11 NLT "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Psalms 16:11 NASB "You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is the fullness of joy; in Your right hand, there are pleasures forever."
Like a hike, a goal to look forward to is a good thing. If we stray from the course God has put us on, we can seek Him to help us get back on track. If the path seems too arduous, just start by taking one step forward - just one - toward the goal. And pray. God will help you take another, and another, and another.
