As she discovered this joy, this love for hiking in nature, she focused on it. She let it become her passion. She just recently hiked Mount Timpanogos. It took over 10 hours to reach the summit. She shares this passion with others and inspires them with her courage, determination, and fortitude.

I love this niece of mine. I want to be just like her. How do we find passion like hers? I am older with the aches and pains of an aging body. My lungs don’t like when I work too hard and too long. That is okay. Her passion is not meant to be my passion. However, her passion can help ignite my desire to find my own passion.

I am happy to watch her grow and become stronger in her journey in life. I have my own path to follow. As she goes to the gym and does strength and endurance training, I work in my ‘gym’ to increase my strengths and endurances for the journeys in my life.

When I was younger, I came upon some difficult spots on my journey. It seemed as if it would be impossible to continue forward on an upward path towards the peak of my mountain top. I took many detours. I became lost and could not find the path to the summit again. It seemed so difficult that I ended up resting for years.

That is ok. I know that the best is yet to come, with the breathtaking views at the top of the mountain. It was important that I continued my journey. I could see others traveling forward towards the summit. I was able to watch as they found ways along the path. It was the motivation I needed; the excitement of reaching the summit. It was enough to get me going again and to find my way back to the path that would get me there.

My friend, I want you to know that whatever circumstance you find yourself in today, the best is yet to come. Find hope. Find your passion. Let it bring you joy. Share it with others. You can ignite a fire in them of hope and determination. You can inspire others to continue on their journey up their mountain.

As you continue on the upward climb toward the summit, you will become a warrior of fortitude and determination. You will have aches and pains, but that is part of this life. You don’t have to hike alone. Remember that Christ is climbing right beside you. God will send you hikers at times to help you along the way (angels on earth). They will help to motivate you when it seems impossible to continue.

Remember there is no rush to get to the top. You go at your own pace. God understands when we need to rest for a time. After all, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. (Matthew 26:41 KJV) Your desire is enough. He accepts the effort you make. He knows you.

He understands when you are weary. He wants you to rest, but He doesn’t want you to live there. If we are not moving forward, it is easy to become stagnant. Take the time you need, and then prepare to move forward.