I love to take super long walks on Sunday afternoons. Yesterday it was so hot, but I love walking in hot, humid weather. For some reason, I feel like I’m getting a real workout when I’m so wet with sweat that it looks as though I’ve taken a dip in the lake. The thermometer said 89 degrees with a soaring dew point. That’s MY idea of “sweat-er” weather. 😊

I also love to walk/hike new trails. There are a bunch of local parks around my town with miles of trails that meander through the Iowa countryside. You would never know you’re in a city because you can only see prairie, deep woods, streams, and blue sky. I decided to try out a “new to me” park with a variety of trails, from paved to gravel to mowed-through-the-prairie paths.

I arrived mid-afternoon with my water bottle, planning for at least a 3-mile walk. I always stop to take pictures of wildflowers or whatever else jumps out at me, so I’m not concerned about my pace. My time in nature feeds my soul and refreshes me right down to my bones. I love it so much.

I started out on the wide bike path but soon chose a less traveled gravel path that wound down by a stream and up alongside the prairie. Eventually, I pulled up my phone’s maps app to see where I was.

The map clearly showed trails within the park, so I was confident that I could choose any path and still find my way back to my car. After about 40 minutes, I noticed something: the trails on the map did not match the actual trails. Where the map showed a gravel trail back to the main parking area, my eyes only saw trees and prairie. But I wasn’t worried. I was in no great hurry, so I just kept walking until I found a newly mown path to follow. I found a hidden lake, a deep woods trail, a bubbling stream, and some beautiful wildflowers.

Eventually, I knew it was time to get serious about getting back. I kept taking a new trail, confident the parking lot would be right around the next bend. But no…just more trail. I wasn’t lost, exactly, but I wasn’t where I wanted to be either.

Here’s the kicker… I could see the parking lot, but I couldn’t get there. It was only about 300 yards across the dense prairie, but I wasn’t willing to hike through the tall grass (I don’t like snakes or poison ivy). The trail on my phone app looked like a straight shot, but instead of a trail, there was construction and fencing and no straightforward way around. I needed to find a different way to get where I needed to go.

There’s a sermon if I’ve ever heard one. Sometimes we can see where God wants us to go, but He hasn’t revealed exactly how He’s going to get us there. Sometimes you have to trust the process, even if it means turning around and heading in what seems like the wrong direction.

Back to my hike…

I do enjoy a good, hot walk, so I made it to the edge of the park into a neighborhood and walked the 1.5 miles of sidewalk back to the park entrance and finally to my car. It was a wonderful afternoon. I was never worried. Obviously, I had my phone and could call for help if I really felt I needed it, but that feeling of “Where am I?” was slightly disconcerting for a few minutes.

What if I hadn’t had my phone? What if I had no map? At what point would I have turned around or chosen an easier route? Would I have gone off the beaten path or stayed safe on the bike trail?

As I journey through my daily life, I remember that slightly disquieting feeling of “Where am I?” and say a grateful prayer that I’m never lost as long as I’m safely following the leading of my Savior. I need to choose the trail He has me on and not wander off without consulting His map for my day. Thankfully, He’s always ready to help me get back on track when I make a wrong turn.

God is never lost. He is always my way out or my way through.

Here’s to long walks and the steady presence of God to guide us.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand… For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. ~Isaiah 41:10

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. ~Isaiah 42:16