DEATH… one step at a time
“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
1 Corinthians 15:55
With this scripture in mind, I have that answer. Let me share a recent experience.
Recently, I was hiking with my son Curtis at the Grand Canyon in Arizona. After a few short hikes along the South Rim, we began to trek down switchback paths from the rim down to the canyon floor.
Well, my 68-year-old body was doing okay until we decided to return to the top after traveling maybe halfway down to the canyon floor.
DEATH, One Step at a Time Trail
On this ascent towards the Canyon Rim, I gave that well-groomed switchback trail a name.
‘DEATH, One Step at a Time Trail’.
My chest was pounding, I was constantly out of breath, as the 7,000 ft. elevation while traversing the many switchbacks was KICKING MY REAR. I had to stop many, many MANY times as I trekked back to the Canyon Rim on ‘DEATH, One Step at a Time Trail’.
As I approached the Canyon Rim, an imposing guy in a black hoodie greeted me. At first, my blurred vision thought it was John Fetterman, but he held a sickle and mumbled something about “Hey fella, you can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave,” and I heard Joe Walsh playing electric guitar in the background… somewhere. This Grim Reaper character looked genuinely disappointed that I returned from the bowels of this Grand Canyon abyss on ‘DEATH, One Step at a Time Trail’.
I must acknowledge I made it back to the Canyon Rim with the encouragement of my son Curtis, who, at times, must be thinking it would be easier to carry (or drag) his old man to the top.
My Grand Canyon w/a Death Valley Attitude
That grueling climb wasn't just hard on my body—it mirrored the slow, step-by-step battle my spirit has been fighting lately has become a DEATH, One Step at a Time Trail, for my soul.
I don’t want to feel this way, but I do. I am spiritually out of breath, and my heart hurts, so I read again Psalm 23
The Lord is my Shepherd, Psalm 23 -
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake
.4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
I know there are many more scriptures to encourage someone who finds themselves on ‘Death, one step at a time Trail,’ but for today, Psalm 23 is what I need again.
I have been existing in a dark spiritual valley, living in the shadows of anger, fear, despair, and discouragement, which all fuel my impatience, intolerance, and sharp tongue. I have been in a place where I do not feel God’s presence. I do not feel hopeful or trusting that life will get better. My self-esteem is low, as all I see is a replay of my mistakes and weaknesses from childhood through today. I ALWAYS do it wrong, say it wrong, and I WILL NEVER change. THIS is a dark, lonely place void of light. This is where I have been. My prayers were pathetic as the noise of this world and my life blared over my feeble attempts to speak to God. It was so lonely, and my spirit was in a dangerous place where I wanted only to sleep and to be alone, where I could not hurt or disappoint anyone again.
But God’s Love is so good, and my wife is kind as I work my spirit out of my ‘DEATH, one step at a time’ frame of mind.
To be honest, I have not reached the rim of my Spirit Canyon, and while I am no longer in darkness, there are still clouds. This is where I look forward to better days, where I see the Sun/Son, and feel the full warmth of God’s love again. I am on a journey, and though I want to be there now, it is not an abracadabra moment.
Ps 23 short form - I lack nothing. The Lord leads me, refreshes me, guides me, is with me, He prepares a table for me, anoints me, my cup overflows, and in the end I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever.
Finally, one more beautiful scripture to mend the broken-hearted (like me)
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Mt 11:28-30
I pray today that each of your spiritual journeys make room for God’s Grace and love, even if you find yourself with a ‘DEATH, one step at a time’ frame of mind.
Blessings
Jeff
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Your comments, your moments where God has restored you? Let’s encourage each other as we put our trust in Him.
