Otter Creek Loop
8/14/13
Distance: 4.6 miles
Terrain: Mostly flat
Vegetation: Primarily pine-oak-aspen woods with some open fields and pine plantation
Comments: Beautiful views of Otter Lake
Living on the Line
By Sarah Anderson
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
-Matthew 7:13-14
The hike through Otter Creek Loop on the Platte Plains Trail is one of my new favorites in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The trail has a wide range of vegetation including fields of large green ferns, cool dark woods, a bubbling brook, and various views of Otter Lake. Each bend in the path rewarded us with something new to observe. At times we were silent with wonder and other times conversation flowed as each section of the trail reminded us of a fantasy world or an epic film. My favorite part of the trail was the first half, and especially the beginning. The trailhead was in a sunny patch of knee length grass but within 30 feet you found yourself in ominous shadows of an old pine forest. It gave you the impression that you just stepped through an invisible curtain that separated two worlds, one bright and happy, the other dark and mysterious. It reminded me of The Lord of the Rings and I was expecting Gollum to scuttle out from behind one of the trees.
Much of the time the trail served as a dividing line, each side in contrast with the other. It almost seemed that we were walking through two very different woods, but on the edge of each. The path, though a line, felt more like a fork. We could step off the trail to either side and explore deeper into the wooded world beyond. But the choice was ours. Which way would we go? Which side would we choose? Every person in this world will face a similar fork in the road. We are all living on the line, the edge of eternity. But we're given a choice. Will we step into a world of temporary treasures? Or will we follow Jesus on the path to righteousness and fulfillment through the cross? This earth has it's appeal and many have chosen to walk in it's ways but the Bible is clear that it won't satisfy. Living for the eternal is where the true adventure lies.
Jesus says, "I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Which way will you go? Which side do you choose?
Father, forgive me for living for myself. I know the things of this world will just leave me empty. Only You can truly satisfy. I long to be fulfilled by Christ. God, I've been living on the line. I'm at the fork in the road, and it's time to make a decision. I choose Jesus Christ. I believe He substituted himself on the cross for my sins and lives forever as the one true God. I give my life to You, Lord, and choose to live for Your glory. Amen.