Luke took in a lungful of crisp mountain air, thick with the scent of pine. His heart pounded as they crested the summit. He blew out a breath and leaned his hiking poles against a nearby rock.

            “Whew. That last ascent was brutal.”

            Jared set his poles next to Luke’s and took a long swig from his hydration pack. “I’ll say. Some of those loose rocks were tricky. But wow. What a view.”

            Luke gazed out over the landscape below. At this altitude, with clear skies, they could see for miles. He took a seat on a rock overlooking the valley. “It was definitely worth the hike. Such a gorgeous view. Man. God is such an amazing artist. I love coming to the places where people haven’t messed up His handiwork.”

            Jared settled onto a nearby rock and frowned. “What is up with you talking about God all the time lately? Can’t we just enjoy the view of nature?”

            Luke studied Jared for a moment and then turned back to the valley. “They’re one and the same. God created nature. He created everything. I like to give Him credit, that’s all.”
            Jared shook his head. “That’s not all. You’ve been talking about God way more over the last few months. Ever since you started going to that new church. It’s like you’re getting brainwashed. You’re a smart guy. I don’t want you to resort to using religion as a crutch.”

            “You know what? That’s not so far off.”
            Jared raised his eyebrows. “Do you actually think you’re getting brainwashed? That’s concerning.”
            Luke laughed. “No, not that part. But everything else you said is true. I have been talking more about God since I started attending a new church. And you’re also right that I’m a smart guy.” He grinned at Jared and continued. “I wasn’t attending church very often before. I made a new commitment to Christ a few months ago. And as a part of that, I started attending church again, and I’ve gotten involved in a men’s group where I’m learning a lot about God. The other part you’re right about is about using God as a crutch.”

            Jared’s eyebrows drew together. “I meant that as a criticism, dude. You’re too smart to need that sort of thing. Religion is for people who can’t handle life on their own. That’s what I meant by a crutch.”

            Luke picked up his hiking poles. “You see these?”

            Jared shrugged. “Yeah? So what?”

            “We climbed this mountain using our own strength. But we used these poles to steady us and to keep us from falling. There were a couple of times when I slipped on the loose gravel. If I hadn’t had the hiking poles, I would have fallen flat on my face. They’re not crutches, but they certainly help. I’m young, strong, and fit. But I choose to use these poles because they help me.”

            “So you’re saying you can do life just fine on your own, but you use God to help you?”

            Luke rubbed his beard. “Almost, but not quite. Yes, God helps me. When I have decisions to make, I ask Him for guidance. He keeps me from making the wrong decisions and falling. But the part that isn’t true is that I can do life just fine on my own. Without His guidance, I tend to go the wrong way. It’s like He’s my compass as well as my hiking pole.” Luke grinned after taking a long drink of water. “And on top of that, He’s my source of water. I definitely can’t live without that.”

            Jared was silent for a long moment. “I never expected you to agree that depending on God is a crutch. Somehow thinking of God as a hiking pole has a lot more appeal.”

            Luke chuckled. “For guys like us, sure. If that helps you be more willing to ask Him for guidance, then go ahead and think of Him that way. But the truth is, living life without God’s guidance is like ignoring all the signs along the trail. If you don’t follow the signs, you’re liable to wander off the trail and get lost.”

            Jared slugged Luke’s shoulder. “I think you’ve gone a bit too far with the metaphors. If you promise to stop comparing God to everything along the hike, I promise to think about what you said.”

            Luke pulled a granola bar out of his pack. “That’s good enough for me!”

Psalm 73:26

 

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

God,

Thank You for being our strength when we are weak. Thank You for guiding us along the path of life, keeping us from stumbling, and for sustaining us with Your love and Your peace. Setting out in life without You is like taking a hike without a compass, a map, hiking poles, or water. Help us learn Your Word and Your voice so we can follow You. Thank You so much, Lord, for Your guidance. In Jesus’ name, Amen.