“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

I took this photo several years ago while hiking near the ocean. The worn steps, the wild green grasses and yellow flowers, and the upward curve at the top spoke to me, compelling me to keep going up, up, up.

I wasn’t exactly sure what I’d find at the top or how much further I’d be walking to get there. But…something beckoned and I chose to keep climbing to see the view when I got to the top. It didn’t disappoint!

The wild, fierce, untamed, raw beauty of the North coast was breathtaking. The wind whipped and tugged, the air scented with life and all things ocean! The perspective from that height, the beauty, and power were a little overwhelming, but in a good way. Jesus and I had some good convos up there and when it was time to walk back down, I felt lighter, cleaner, refreshed.

It’s like our life journey. Some parts are smooth, easy terrain, and others…not so much. But He personally goes before us. He never leaves us when what’s up ahead looks daunting, exhausting, or too much. We are never abandoned, discarded, or left behind.

I love this photo because I picture Jesus going ahead of me, preparing the way, moving obstacles I will never see, and shouting/whispering/singing encouragement over me when I’m tired, world-weary, and not sure I can keep going.

He knows what is at the top of your hard, rocky, uncertain path, and He’s not leaving you to manage it. He knows the delight, beauty, joy, and restoration waiting for you at the top because He placed it there for just a time as this.

He’s got you. He’s with you. You are seen and so deeply loved. You are enough.

Now get out there and enjoy that journey! Who knows what delights, answers, and new perspectives are waiting for you to come up over the top of that trail that’s before you and gasp in awe at the incredible beauty.