I had a hard time writing this blog.
I’m not really sure why, but I got to the point where I wasn’t turning anything in because I honestly couldn’t think of what to write—and I didn’t want to write something just to write something. I didn’t want to be disingenuous.
Belief has not always been my strength. If you’re looking for an expert on faith and believing big, it isn’t me. But God has brought me a long way in building my faith, and I am so thankful for His faithfulness in that.
Recently—after this blog was already due—we hiked Pikes Peak with some of our friends and their families from church. And somewhere on that mountain, I think my faith grew a little more.
Day one started with the “easier” six-mile hike to Barr Camp. We packed in all of our camping supplies and hiked six beautiful miles up the mountain.
Hiking has always been special to me because I feel so close to God in nature. There is something about being surrounded by mountains, trees, and everything He created that quiets everything else.
We made it to camp, set up our tents, and watched the kids play in the creek and build forts out of limbs and string.
I felt accomplished. Proud. Tired. And incredibly thankful to be surrounded by God’s beauty.
Then came day two.
Another six miles, but this time with around 4,000 feet of elevation gain. We left around 6 a.m. hoping to beat the afternoon storms.
I woke up tired, but excited to hike.
Our team did so well. We pushed. We dug deeper. We encouraged each other.
But we didn’t beat the afternoon storms.
At that point, all of us knew we just needed to get up the mountain.
We helped each other. We encouraged each other. We carried each other’s loads—literally. Lucas and Cole were so steady through all of it. They showed their strength not just by carrying extra weight when others needed help, but by quietly stepping in and helping wherever they could. They carried loads, kept moving, and helped keep the rest of us moving too.
And when it felt like we had used everything we had, God sent some angels on that mountain to help us the rest of the way.
There was no going back down.
We had to go up.
And God gave us the strength.
The experience was deeply spiritual for me, and looking back, I think it gave me a glimpse of how much my belief has grown.
Even in the urgency of trying to get off that mountain and out of the storm, I had peace.
I knew I couldn’t make it up in my own strength.
I could see the support God was providing around us. I knew my worry couldn’t get us up the mountain any faster. My anxiety couldn’t make the storm go away.
So, I just kept going.
And somewhere inside, I knew we were going to make it.
Fast forward to getting home.
I was planning our homeschool year, looking at my work schedule between two jobs, looking at everything we had committed to—and I started to worry.
I was talking to my husband about how I wasn’t sure we could do it all.
He reminded me, we just hiked Pikes Peak.
I could, in fact, do hard things.
But more importantly, he reminded me that God can provide what we need for what He has called us to do. It doesn’t have to come from my own strength.
A few days later, I went on a run—because Pikes Peak also showed me just how much I need to work on my fitness, haha—and I felt God impress something on my heart:
“Quit looking for escape routes. Believe that I will get you through what I have called you to.”
That hit me.
Because I think, sometimes, I ask God to show me what He wants me to do, but then when it gets hard, I immediately start looking for the way out.
Maybe believing bigger isn’t believing that everything will be easy.
Maybe it’s believing that if God has called us to something, He will be faithful to meet us there.
It reminds me of 1 Thessalonians 5:24:
“The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.”
Not you are strong enough, and you will do it.
He is faithful.
Philippians 1:6 says something similar:
“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
God calls us to things. Sometimes He calls us through things. And He doesn’t promise that we will accomplish them in our own strength.
He promises to be faithful.
Ephesians 3:20:
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”
Pikes Peak reminded me that sometimes there isn’t an escape route. Sometimes the only option is to keep climbing, one step at a time, trusting that God will provide the strength, the people, the peace, and even the “angels on the mountain” we need along the way.
So, whatever you’re walking through, or whatever God has called you to, my prayer is that you can stop looking for the escape route.
Believe bigger.
Not in yourself, but in the God who called you.
We would like to thank Lori Johnson for writing this blog.
Women's Ministry 