Anthony and I saw the sign on the side of the road: Natural Bridge ahead.

We had a couple hours before it was time to check into our Airbnb and we figured this would be a great way to experience something new and maximize our time.

We turned into the parking area and got out. The sign at the beginning of the innocent-looking trail said 1 mile to Natural Bridge.

That sounded doable – even considering the flip-flops I had on.

What the sign neglected to say was that the trail was 1 mile long and traversed a very strenuous and near vertical 700 feet in elevation gain.

But it didn’t, so we ventured down the trail blissfully ignorant and excited for the natural wonder we were about to see.

Ten minutes in, I internally questioned our decision.

The hot day, slippery patches of mud on the trail, and endless sets of uneven stairs tempted me to abort this mission.

But, I moved forward.

Thirty minutes in, I began asking people who were coming back from the top, “Are we almost there?”

They smiled and assured us we were.

I pressed on.

My heart felt like it was beating outside of my chest. My lungs felt like they were about to explode. My mind was thinking of easier things that we could have done to pass the time.

I asked more people, “Are we almost there?”

They noted we were.

This time, I had less confidence in anyone’s answer, but continued to put one foot in front of the other.

When we finally made it to the top – sweat pouring down our backs, legs screaming in revolt – I stood there and gazed upon the gloriously beautiful view.

It was breathtaking and, I had to admit, worth the hardship of the journey.

It made me grateful the sign at the beginning of the trail hadn’t told me about all the challenges that lie ahead. If it had, I can assure you I would not have ventured down the trail to begin with.

Much like my spiritual journey.

Had God shared what my entire life’s path would look like upfront, I’m certain I would’ve said, “No thank you” and put in a request for an easier route.

But God, in His wisdom, doesn’t share all the details of the places our faith journey will lead us through because He knows.

He knows our natural inclination would always be to take the easy way and that’s generally not the best way.

He knows that with every hardship we endure, we will look more like Him.

He knows that with every difficulty we press through, we will grow and develop in our faith.

And, He knows that with every weakness we encounter, we will have a fresh opportunity to fall on our knees and deepen our dependency upon Him.

And isn’t that the goal?

So, like the good Father that He is, He doesn’t give us the roadmap up front.

He gives us just enough grace for today and that is sufficient.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:34, “…don’t worry about tomorrow…”

Just focus on today.

One foot in front of the other.

Embracing God’s all-sufficient grace that He provides for us in the moment.

Until next time, Grace and Glory!