Sure-Footed
My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not stumbled. Psalm 17:5 (NIV)
When I was in college, our choir went on tour to the Dominican Republic and Haiti. One hot day, we went somewhere that required sure-footed mules to take us down a ridiculously steep trail. As I sat on my saddle, it slid backward and I saw the poor mule’s back. It was red, oozing and infected. I got off and walked the rest of the way and when we got to our destination, I walked back to the top. I couldn’t do it! Never again did I ride a mule. Ellen Fannon (All God’s Creatures) tells of a much more positive adventure.
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The Kalaupapa Peninsula on Molokai, one of the most remote places in Hawaii, once served as a leper colony. Victims of this horrible disease were taken from their homes and transported to the colony by boat. The colony was on a relatively flat area at the foot of some of the steepest sea cliffs on Earth, so there was no way to leave except by boat or by scaling the cliffs. Today, the colony is a national historical park on a part of the island so unspoiled and beautiful that it feels like you are going back in time. The only way to visit Kalaupapa is by plane, by hiking down narrow trails in the vertical rock faces, or by mule. The 2.9-mile trail descends 1,700 feet on the edge of the tallest sea cliff in the world.
Many years ago, my husband and I were fortunate enough to visit the unique area by riding mules down to the bottom of the cliff. I must admit to feeling some trepidation as we descended straight down a narrow path on the side of the cliff. It seemed my mule plodded along without so much as looking where he was going, and it occurred to me my life depended on the sure-footedness of an animal that didn‘t seem all that attentive or concerned. One stumble on his part, and we both would tumble to our deaths. Full of anxiety, I monitored each of his footsteps on the way down.
When we made the return trip up the cliff, I allowed myself to relax. It was only then that I noticed the beautiful scenery because I had been too focused on make sure my mule didn’t step off the side of the cliff.
God’s Word assures us if we keep our feet on his path, He will not allow us to slip. I need not worry about the steepness or the danger of the path as long as He is guiding my footsteps.
Loving Lord, thank You for helping our feet to stay on the right path. Please teach us to claim that blessed assurance that only You can offer. AMEN.