The Secret Stairs
Last Saturday afternoon, Avery, Ellie, and I went on an urban hike called Secret Stairs in southwest Pasadena. This is a hillside neighborhood with terraced streets that has public staircases going up from one street to another in-between the houses. It's about a two-mile hike in a neighborhood with nice homes and views of downtown Pasadena and Eagle Rock. The beginning of the trail was a little hard to find but once we found it, we trekked up and down the stairs and the surrounding neighborhood.
It was a lot of fun and a different sort of hike, but by the end I was exhausted. The app on my phone says I climbed 44 flights of stairs that day which was probably 40 more than I've ever done. While the girls would go up and down the stairs with no problem at all - talking, laughing, playing with the neighborhood cat - I, on the other hand, could feel my legs getting heavier and heavier. With each step, I strained to push up and plant my foot on the next step. After a while, I wanted to stop (but I couldn't tell them that :)). As we kept going, I thought about how out of shape I am and the saying, "fatigue makes cowards of us all." Fortunately, I made it through and didn't stumble or fall down the stairs. Afterwards, we rewarded ourselves with a big shaved ice dessert. Boy did I need that!
Life is a journey and often a bit like hiking a trail. It has its ups and downs. There are times when we feel refreshed and times when we feel exhausted. Sometimes life is so difficult, we're doing all we can just to stay upright and put one foot in front of the other (kinda like climbing the secret stairs). If that's how you feel, I just want to remind you that while we may be weak, we have a strong and faithful God who wants to guide your steps. Psalm 37:23-24 says, "The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand." God is present, even in our difficulties. God cares, even if we stumble, He will be there to keep us from falling. Let us turn to Him.
God bless,
Pastor Darren
