Last weekend I went hiking with some friends along the Tanawha Trail up to Beacon Heights in between two major thunderstorms. We hiked about three miles and my phone registered 49 flights of stairs. When I was telling someone about it later she commented that hard hikes are worth it if there’s a great view. I showed her one of the pictures below and she said, “Totally worth it!”
It didn’t occur to me till a couple days later that her comments had spiritual significance. There are a lot of times in this life that we’re on a narrow path, going through dark woods, clambering up and down rocks, wondering if the rain will hold off, not knowing how much further we have to go, and wondering if it’s going to be worth it in the end. But for Christians, we have the assurance from the Bible that it will indeed be worth it all. Here are a few of the Scriptures that I turn to frequently:
“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:17-18).
“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 1:6-7).
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you” (1 Pet. 5:10).
In the toils of a lifetime of seventy or eighty years, it can be hard to remember that this life is just a brief moment in light of eternity. Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field” (Matt. 13:44). That eternal kingdom will make every sacrifice, loss, and trial that we face in this life ultimately worthwhile. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, writing on Matthew 5:3, says,
“The kingdom of heaven will come to those who live thoroughly in renunciation and want for Jesus’ sake... They have their treasure well hidden, they have it at the cross. The kingdom of heaven is promised them in visible majesty, and it is already given them in the complete poverty of the cross” (Discipleship, ch. 6).
As we were enjoying the view at Beacon Heights, we talked about the fact that if we can enjoy beautiful views in this broken and marred world, just imagine what eternity will be like. When I think about places I would like to visit but probably won’t see in this life, I figure the new earth will still have similar continents but even better sights to enjoy. What better way to praise God than by enjoying the perfection of His new creation for eternity!
And if today’s enjoyments are small compared to what is to come, how much smaller are today’s sorrows? I admit that’s really hard for me to hold onto at times, especially when it feels like life is heavily weighted with loss, disappointment, anxiety, and discouragement. But even when there are no views to enjoy and the rocks on the trail seem too hard to climb over and the valleys too deep, there is a Shepherd and Guide who walks alongside us all the way. For now I’ll take any glimpses of heaven that I can find.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Ps. 23:4).
© 2023 Dawn Rutan text and photos. All Scripture are ESV. The opinions stated do not necessarily reflect the views of my church or employer.
