In the Midst of the Storm

Green Point Dunes Nature Preserve
10/14/13
Distance: 3 Mile Loop
Terrain: Rolling hills with steeper climbs near the bluffs
Vegetation: Wildflowers, forest, meadows, stunning views of Lake Michigan
Wildlife: Bird habitat

In the Midst of the Storm
by Sarah Anderson

"Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, 'I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.'" - John 8:12

This trail is two miles south of Elberta and is protected by the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy. Its open year-round for hikers and cross-country skiers. We hiked mid-October during the peak of Autumn's blush. Pale sunlight warmed our skin while crisp air rolled in from the shore below. Cornflower blue blankets covered the earth to it's outer rim. It's waves crashing methodically, keeping time to the woodland song of rustling red and yellow leaves.

The trail offers two overlooks of Lake Michigan, the first including views of Lower Herring Lake. In good weather, Lake Michigan might be clear enough to catch a glimpse of the City of Boston shipwreck. In 1873, the steamship hit a sandbar when blinded by a November snow storm. Unable to move, the waves pounded against the hull until it broke. The ship's cargo was lost and the vessel was abandoned.

From the sandy bluffs we could just outline the City of Boston wreckage, a skeletal memory of what was lost. It served as a warning against the possible devastation for those who lose sight of the Lighthouse. When we're blinded by the storm, whether a fog of worldliness, or the crashing waves of enemy warfare, we're in danger of becoming shipwrecked. We must fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Psalm 119:105 says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." When we remain in Scripture, marinating our minds with His words, they serve as a compass, keeping us on course when the way seems bleak and hopeless.

The Christian life doesn't guarantee smooth sailing but we can trust that the Captain will not abandon us in the storm. Deuteronomy 31:8 says, "The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your guiding light, Your word that directs my steps. Forgive me for taking it for granted. Like food, I need it daily. Teach me to meditate on it, using it as the measure for all my decisions. Let me not despair in life's storms but rest in the promise that you will remain with me. Teach me to fix my eyes on You and not the waves. Amen.

Green Point Dunes Nature Preserve in Elberta, Michigan Hiked 10/14/13

Not About Me

Hemmed-In Hollow from Compton Trailhead
9/13/13
Distance: 5 Miles Out and Back
Terrain: 2,000 Foot Elevation Gain
Features: Forest, River, Waterfall, Mountains, Wildflowers
Wildlife: Snakes, Spiders, Turtles, Hawks, Squirrels and Skinks

Not About Me
by Sarah Anderson

John 3:30 "He must become greater; I must become less."

The Hemmed-In Hollow trail has year-round accessibility and can be hiked from the river or from the Compton Trailhead. Starting from the trailhead, we descended the steep and narrow path. The trail was rocky and had various wildlife including huge spiders and colorful snakes. Though I don't favor these particular creatures, they have their place and purpose in the world. Without them, we'd be overrun with bugs and mosquitoes. An ecosystem needs all types of creatures to contribute to its health and function. In the same way, our faith will grow when it is challenged by those with different perspectives. All types of people are essential for a healthy church body. It's a gentle reminder to not surround ourselves with only what or whom seems most agreeable.

We are built for community, and community thrives in diversity. We are to encourage, sharpen and love each other. Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." Life is meant to be shared, and we are to live in harmony with one another (Romans. 12:16). Life is not about getting our own way because life is not about us.

In the final turn, we reached the base of the hollow to behold the most magnificent sight. A 250 foot cliff towered over us, brushing the blue heights above. In spring and summer, water cascades over the rocky face making it the largest waterfall between the Rocky and Appalachian mountains. But in early autumn, only a few lines of water trickled over the edge. A quiet mist rose from the base and rainbow prisms cut through the air. All was silent, our conversation cut short in a gasp of surprise.

In moments like these, we experience spiritual vertigo. We catch a glimpse of how big the world is, and even bigger the God who created it. We suddenly realize how small we really are in the whole scheme of life. How little our comforts and opinions seem in comparison to the One who created the heavens and the earth and all that is in them (Genesis 1:1). Yet even before this mountain wall was formed, He loved us. Ephesians 1:4-5 says, "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-" This big, awesome Creator isn't far off and unreachable. He is personal and close. He is a Father seeking the love of His children because in His grace, He chose us to be so. We are built for community because God desires to commune with us. Life is meant to be shared not just with our fellow man, but also in sweet union with Jesus.

When we are dwarfed by His greatness and in true awe of His extravagant love, how could we possibly think life is about us?

Lord, forgive me when I become so near-sighted that I miss the grandeur of Your love. Creation gives evidence of how great You truly are. Who am I in light of Your glory? Yet in Your perfection You did not abandon me to my sins. You rescued me and called me child. Forgive me for not living each moment in thanksgiving for my salvation! Rid me of selfishness so I can love others as You have loved me. Rid me of self-centeredness so I can love You with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. Forgive me for living for my own desires. Life is not about me, but about You. Because in You alone, there is life. Amen.

Hemmed-In Hollow Trail from Compton Trailhead near Compton, Arkansas Hiked 9/13/13

Waiting for the King

Bass Lake Loop
8/15/13
Distance: 3.5 mile
Terrain: Mostly flat with a few rolling hills near the end by the trailhead
Vegetation: Primarily pine-oak-aspen woods with some open fields and pine plantation
Comments: Wear bug spray! Beautiful views of Bass Lake near trailhead

Waiting for the King
By Sarah Anderson

"Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes..." -Psalm 96:12-13a

The Bass Lake Loop is located on the Platte Plains Trail. The path cuts through towering trees that reach up toward the heavens as patches of sunlight dance between their leaves. The brush was low in some parts so you could see far between their trunks. Along the way, I was reminded of C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia. There was a beautiful silence in the woods, as if everything was watching for the arrival of Aslan. At any moment, I felt as though I too would see his golden mane appear, weaving between the open spaces bathed in greenish light.

Not far beyond the trailhead, we came across a tree with a trunk twisted to better reach the sunlight. Among the straight and tall waiting for Aslan, this tree was so bent, it looked as though it couldn't quite see the coming King. It's neck was "craned" around to get a better view. I was reminded of Zacchaeus in the Bible who climbed a Sycamore tree to see the arrival of Jesus.

Are we anxiously awaiting the arrival of our Lord? Do we live as though we expect him to return today? Or are we caught up in our daily routine? Waiting does not mean that we are idle, but actively serving Him with our lives, ready for His coming. Luke 12:35-40 says, "Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."

Because trees need light to flourish, each one was stretched and bent to better reach the sun. Likewise, let us seek the Son so we may grow in our faith and bring Him glory. Let our lives reflect eager anticipation for the King's return.

Father, let me be like this tree, determined to adjust what I need to in my life so I can better see You! Forgive me for getting caught up in my routine. How easily I forget that my life's purpose is to magnify Your name. I tend to live for my own desires. Instead, help me to live with an eternal perspective, so I will be ready for Your arrival! What a glorious day that will be!

Bass Lake Loop on the Platte Plains Trail in the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore in Northern Michigan. Hiked on 8/15/13 Song credit: "Your Glory" by All Sons & Daughters

Living on the Line

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.

Otter Creek Loop in the Platte Plains Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - Michigan Hiked 8/14/13 Song: "Thank You God for Saving Me" by Chris Tomlin

Temporary Treasures

The Windy Moraine Trail in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - Michigan
8/13/13
Distance: 1.5 Mile Loop
Terrain: Hilly
Vegetation: Beech-maple forest, fields, and pine plantation
Wildlife: Squirrels, chipmunks, deer, various birds

Temporary Treasures
by Sarah Anderson

Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 - "I denied myself nothing my eyes desires; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun."

As we walked through the Windy Moraine there were many educational posts with numbers along the path. On our trail map, it gave a small informative paragraph on a particular field, fruit tree, or view located by each post.

As we neared number #5 we read about a great maple tree: "This giant sugar maple is certainly a century old; perhaps even much older. Why do you suppose it was spared when all the other surrounding trees were cut for lumber or to clear the area for farming? Pause here for a moment and think about the changes that have happened on the land since this tree was a seedling. If you feel a sense of awe, then you understand another reason for preserving biological diversity. Every time the world loses a species, we lose the opportunity to experience its unique beauty and wonder."

However, when we reached the fifth post the "Big Maple" didn't seem so beautiful. Nor was it a grand wonder. Large it was but it had not been spared as the trail map read.

A disease had slowly eaten away at the maple and it was rotting from the inside out. Overtime, even the greatest of things can be destroyed. The Bible says nothing of this world will last. If we don't keep a biblical perspective in our daily living, worldliness can easily consume us. And if we aren't careful, it can eat away at us like a cancer. Temporary treasures will always decay. Therefore we shouldn't live for the things of this world. As Ecclesiastes says, "all of it is meaningless." We should live for and invest in the eternal. Matthew 6:20-21 says "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth or rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Eventually, park rangers had cut some of the remaining branches down leaving the grand disaster before us. We did stand in wonder, but not because of the tree's greatness, but because we were in awe of a God who is worth more than all the treasures on earth.

Lord, forgive me when I spend more time focused on this world and what it might offer rather than living as a holy sacrifice unto you. You are my portion and my cup. You are enough and you satisfy my soul. Let not my heart be distracted by mere trifles. Let my heart be consumed with love for you!

The WIndy Moraine Trail in Sleeping Dunes National Lakeshore Empire, MI 8/13/13 Pictures by Sia Song: "Countless Wonders" by Chris Tomlin