1. God made this trail called Life. God made us. God has ordered our steps (Psalm 37:23). God directs our paths (Proverbs 3:6). God knows who we are and where He wants us to be. God created everything and by Him all things exist. Elementary Theology – God made everything! Isn’t it great having a ‘Trail Manager’ that actually made the trail!
2. God not only made this trail called life – but He came and walked it. God Himself became man and dwelt among us (John 1:14). God felt what we feel. God experienced all that we experience. God felt hunger, sadness, disappointment, pain, rejection, etc. In and through the person of Jesus Christ – God walked through this life.
3. God not only made the trail called life and not only walked the trail called life but God sees ahead and knows what we are going to face before we face it. Just as I was able to watch the weather forecast and relay that information to my son; just as I was able to check on the National Parks ahead of him and get him the necessary permits before he needed them, just as I was able to locate Post Offices along his path and send him the supplies he needed – God also knows what lies ahead and promises to “Supply All of our Need”.
4. God knows what we need for our journey. The trail manager looks ahead and makes sure that the hiker has the necessary gear for the obstacles that lie ahead. Is it going to be getting colder? The hiker will need warmer clothes. Are they headed for a stretch with very few restocking points? The hiker will need to take extra food for that section. God knows what we are going to need BEFORE we get there.
5. God knows what we DON’T need. Too often Appalachian Trail hikers take things that seem important, but are just unnecessary. Stories are told of hikers beginning the trail with a dozen rolls of toilet tissue. You may need a dozen rolls or more of toilet tissue for the whole journey but you do not need a dozen rolls the first week. God often removes things from our lives that we think are important, but that He knows are just too much for us to carry.
6. Now – here’s the best part! Not only did God make the trail, walk the trail already, look ahead to see what’s coming, give us what we need and remove what we don’t need – BUT – He then walks the trail with us! Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for THOU ART WITH ME! (Psalm 23)
