Many years ago my husband, Dave, and myself, took a short holiday in Lynmouth on the north Devon coast. Over on the opposite side of the river estuary we came across a narrow gravel footpath leading up the valley side and decided on the spur of the moment to follow it.  We had expected a short climb (otherwise we probably wouldn’t have attempted it) but it turned out to be a long, steep ascent which left us breathless.  The gravel path only lasted for about a quarter of a mile and then gave way to a simple track of trodden earth which became almost imperceptible the higher we climbed.  Clearly there had been many others who had started to make this climb and then fallen by the wayside.

I was much heavier then than I am now so the effort really took its toll on my breathing. I suppose we had been climbing for about twenty minutes when I felt that I just couldn’t carry on any further.  “It’s no good, Dave,” I wheezed.  I think we’ll have to turn back.  I’m just not fit enough.”  Immediately into my mind came the words of Jesus: ‘Any man who puts his hand to the plough and turns back, is unfit for the Kingdom of Heaven.’  Now I appreciate that this was a play on words and that the lack of fitness I had expressed had no direct bearing on the kind of fitness Jesus was talking about, but the Holy Spirit used this double meaning in order to speak a precious truth into my spirit.  It seemed to me that He was saying, ‘The only thing that renders you unfit in my eyes is when you turn back. It isn't how you feel or how long the journey takes you - just keep going and that will make you fit!’ 

Now, several years later, I rejoice to testify that I have become physically much fitter and seek to walk at least ten miles a week just for sheer enjoyment.  I still don’t like steep hills, but they are not quite so daunting as they used to be.  However, I owe much of my present fitness to having persevered during the hard times.  And I am not talking here of just physical exercise, but my whole commitment to having a healthy body which for me meant losing several stone in weight. There were days when the gravitational magnetism of food seemed to hang onto my heels to drag me down; days when I simply felt I’d had enough and wanted to throw in the towel and go and binge on a family-size bag of crisps, and days when I felt that in spite of ‘being good’ I was making little or no headway at all.  What to do in such trying times? Is turning back really an option? No, of course not! Don’t look back, look forward; don’t look down, look up!  You’re going to make it – not in your own strength, of course, but in God’s. Picture yourself now on that steep climb, and see the Master reaching down His hand to help pull you up over the difficult terrain. Go at your own pace - God is patient.

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you….. when we finally got to the summit above Lynmouth the view was amazing – breathtaking for all the right reasons! Your eyes haven’t seen yet what God has in store for you if you just keep going. One thing I know, it will go far beyond your expectations and, like me, I just know that when you reach your goal your soul will cry out in humble adoration, ‘My God, how great Thou art!’