Cast your burden on the Lord and he will sustain you. (Psalm 55:22)
 |
| Manoj carried our load and guided our path |
We paid Manoj to be our porter. We could not have climbed the gruelling paths to over 4000 metres if we had had to carry our own 20 kilo pack. We carried a day bag with daily essentials but Manoj carried the heavy stuff. We were able to enjoy the walk without the extra burden of stuff we wouldn’t need for our daily purposes.
I was reminded of our heavenly porter who offers to carry our ‘stuff’. All we need do is to hand it to Him and allow Him to carry it. When we don’t carry the burden of fear, anxiety, worry, stress and other daily concerns the journey of life becomes a delight. Stick it all in a rucksack and give it to the Lord.
One look at Manoj and you would think the load would be too heavy. He was not a big man. 26 years old and probably about 5’5. But this is what he does. He is a trekking guide in Nepal. He’s conditioned for it, he’s used to it, he could handle it. God, too, can carry your stuff!
Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths. (Psalm 25:4)
We also paid Manoj to be our guide. We were told by the trekking agency to go where the guide recommends.
Manoj had done this trek many times and knew exactly what paths to take and the best places to stay. It would have been pointless for us to try and tell him where we should go – he was the expert and we were in unfamiliar territory.
The Lord knows where He wants to take us. Don’t argue with Him. Trust Him. He knows the way, the beginning from the end. Argue with Him about where you’re going at your own peril.
Many times our path was strewn with giant rocks that I had to climb up and over or down. I wouldn’t know where to go. I’d often look up at Manoj, and he seemed to know when to turn around and point to where I should take my next step. He also seemed to know when I’d be ok.
God will also guide your steps, but make sure you make eye contact with Him, ask Him for the guidance you need. If you don’t get a response, perhaps it’s because He knows you’ll make the right decision.
You've made room beneath me for my footsteps, and my feet didn't slip. (2 Samuel 22:37)
By day 2 it was snowing. Day 3, that snow had turned to an icy, deadly path. We did not have the proper footwear to cope with such conditions. I kept slipping over, I fell heavily on my elbow and with one of my falls, I collected Manoj with me as I went down. We were on a narrow path, the sides fell away to steep slopes. I was scared knowing I could easily slip and fall. Manoj guided me down the next 90 minutes of frozen slippery path by putting his foot sideways on the path in front of me creating a step for me to step onto.
When we reached the bottom of the path, I hugged him and said, “Thank you for keeping me from killing myself”, and he said, “It’s my job”.
When life seems difficult and you don’t think you can go on, remember, it’s God’s job to take care of you and to provide for you. Have the faith to step onto the footholds that He creates for you. They may be people or opportunities. They are steady and sure, you won’t slip.
 |
| Phil and I became friends with Manoj. |
When we allow God to help us through life and we learn that we can trust Him, our relationship with Him is strengthened and we realize that we can’t do life without Him.
