In my journey through life, I have had to deal with things that I did not think were going to be part of my life. For nearly 70 years I could proudly say that I had never had a broken bone (except for my pinkie toe!) or any other kind of surgery. That all changed seven years ago, and now multiple surgeries have become part of my life. And I make post-surgery trips that take us several hours from home. This week we had another trip for that reason. We have made this trip many times and each time I am aware of the beauty that we have for us here in this part of the world. When you become accustomed to what you see so often, you sometimes don’t seem to notice that beauty is there, unless you keep aware! I have admired the bluffs and cliffs that tower above us as we travel about in the town of La Crosse. There is much to see and we have not had the time to enjoy it as much as we would like or have been able to. We had promised ourselves that one day, on one trip, we would take the time to explore but the time was never right.
This week my appointment left us with some time to explore. The time seemed right. There were still leaves on the trees which I had not expected to see at the end of October to make it pretty. God had given us another blessing on top of all the mountain of blessings we all receive every day. Each time we have driven along and by those cliffs and bluffs my desire increased. Seeing those bluffs led me to one day remembering childhood conversations and stories of trips my father’s family made to the La Crosse area. Those conversations came back to me as very enjoyable times—a favorite place of my grandfather I think! It was then that I now wanted to see what he had enjoyed so much.
We began to search for the way to climb—drive—up to the top of the bluff! Those of you familiar with La Crosse perhaps will already know that the name of this high point is Grand Dad’s Bluff! That is a name that I grew up hearing but I don’t remember ever being taken to this place that was so special to many in my family. Since those memories are from over 70 years ago, I am sure it is all different now from their own special memories. The sign markers directing the way up now had additions of Road Closed signs!! Ugh! But my husband is never bothered by signs that are supposed to prevent him from going where he wants to go and he is good at finding a way—any way! So, true to his determination, there was a way for us to go after all. It was a narrow road but did lead to a way beyond the closed area and we started up the bluff road. As it led us up, I enjoyed being able to see into the forest along the road. This time of year, much of the undergrowth has ceased growing and dropped their leaves. And I can look up into the woods and see the terrain of the hill side. It allows me to see deep into the woods, and I love it. It is the same in the spring, too, and I love the deep views then as much as I do this time of year! As we traveled up, we noticed signs and kiosks. We stopped to read them and could see our way mapped out for us on the signs. But included on the map were many marked trails. They were temptations to stray off the road and explore the hillsides and valleys of the bluff area! Some of the trails were marked as Easy! Some were marked Moderate and others listed as difficult—Black Diamond trails. While there was a bit of temptation for the easy trails, I knew that for me and Garry even they would be our Black Diamonds. Each trail had fun sounding names. Names like Bluff Pass, Miller Bluff, Wood Duck, Hickory, Bicentennial, Savanna, Birch, Vista, Oak, and Log Loop.
As we traveled up the road, there were more kiosks alerting us to the way. Suddenly we seemed to be at the “top.” And then we wondered, “Is this all there is?”
We stopped, a little disappointed. We could see a building that indicated it was the destination we were looking for. We could get a view, food, drinks…. It was only then we noticed a small sign with an arrow directing us on and up! At that elevation, many of the trees with leaves had turned to yellow and gold. As much as we were enjoying the colors, we wanted to record our enjoyment with pictures. The day was cloudy, and our cameras could not do justice to what we were seeing. There on top of the Bluff, we had the crowning views of yellow and gold, kind of like the golden city crowning the top of God’s Holy Mountain, prepared for us by God .
At last, we reached the end of the road. We had persisted and reached our destination. Another short walk would end at the edge of the cliff. Since it was very late in the day and we had a long trip home with many shopping stops, we decided to save the walk for another day but we were happy to have explored and enjoyed the Bluff of Ole Grand Dad. and a favorite place of my own Grand Dad. I wonder how different it is now from what he had enjoyed so much?
We traveled to keep a doctor’s appointment. Keeping appointments is not one of my favorite things to do even though I know they are often lifesaving. Each appointment seems to raise my Blood Pressure and that knowledge makes it rise even more! Ugh! I can’t win. But, traveling to do what I don’t like so much, does often lead to things later to enjoy such as our trip to Grand Dad’s Bluff.
This day in my life had much to teach me—maybe you! Spiritual life applications are all along the way. First, we have to do what we don’t want to do. We have to obey God, obey when we don’t want too sometimes. We want to ignore what is good for us to do. But after we do not ignore, then we will get to have a better life after our obedience. I love the blessings that God has provided me during the fall time of year. There is beauty even at the end of the growing cycle. There is beauty in the rugged terrain left behind after a flood that covered the whole world because of sin. God created beauty for us even after the beauty that was first created was destroyed after sin entered this world.
Just as I could see deep into the woods, all the rocks and fallen trees and deep ravines, God can see through my clutter and look deep into my heart and see the rough places, the rocky places, the hidden gulleys that I try to keep hidden from Him.
Our journey each day is seldom easy. We often think we are having Black Diamond experiences. God has left us information Kiosks to show us the Upward way to avoid our Black Diamond problems. We must not be tempted to stray away from the narrow way that will lead to life eternal on the top of Mt. Zion. I don’t like the journey God sometimes takes me. I ask, “Why?” But then I can take a look back and see His leading me, teaching me a better way than I want to travel (my way). My way is never His Way. And His Way is the Best Way! Along the way we had kiosks that showed us the way and gave us some things to watch for. I couldn’t help but think of the waymarks God has given to everyone who wants to travel the path that will lead to Heaven.
Bible waymarks for the journey to heaven include spiritual progress markers like engaging the Bible and serving others, recognizing spiritual dangers such as false prophets and the narrow gate of righteousness, and focusing on eternal truths rather than temporary ones. These “waymarks” serve as signs to guide believers toward a life of faith and ultimately, eternal life.
Jesus taught that the way to life is to watch for the “road signs” and choose a “narrow gate” and a “narrow way/path” that few find, contrasting it with the “broad way” that leads to destruction. Align your own will with God’s will and finish your work on earth. Be watching and vigilant against deception and false prophets, who may appear good but are trying to lead you astray. Set your mind on “the eternal things of heaven, not the things of earth.” This involves continuously and actively thinking about the realities of heaven. “It is not enough to have good intentions, to do what a man thinks is right or what the minister tells him is right. He should search the Scriptures for himself. He has a chart pointing out every waymark on the heavenward journey, and he ought not to guess at anything.” HF 364 also in GC
I found this list of signs a very organized way to study them. Many Bible texts on the signs of the last days are our waymarks or kiosks and include Matthew 24:5–8 (false messiahs, wars, famines, and earthquakes), 2 Timothy 3:1–5 (social and moral decline), and Luke 21:25–28 (celestial signs like darkened sun and moon). Other passages that describe the end times include Joel 2:28–32, 2 Peter 3:3–10, and the entire book of Revelation.
There are so many things to watch for in our daily journey!
Signs that are related to global events and conflicts:
Wars and conflict: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom”
(Matthew 24:7).
Famine: “There will be food shortages” (Matthew 24:7).
Earthquakes: “There will be earthquakes in various places” (Matthew 24:7).
Disease: Mentioned alongside famines and earthquakes as “beginning of
sorrows” (Matthew 24:8).
Signs that relate to spiritual and social conditions:
False prophets: “Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will
proud… ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, deceive many”
(Matthew 24:5).
Moral decline: People will be “lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful,
without self-control” (2 Timothy 3:2–4).
Lawlessness: “Because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow
cold” (Matthew 24:12).
Scoffers: “In the last days there will come scoffers who will live according to
their own sinful desires” (2 Peter 3:3).
Families will be in conflict. “They will be divided, father against son and
Son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother
(Luke 12:53)
Signs that are related to cosmic and celestial events:
Trouble in the heavens: “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars” (Luke 21:25).
Cosmic upheaval: “The stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be
shaken” (Mark 13:25).
Great events: “The day of the Lord will come as a thief, in which the heavens will
pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat”
(2 Peter 3:10).
We are living in a time when we can postpone our daily trips to enjoy another time. But should we be so quick to postpone them to a more convenient time? The answer is we need to be careful what we postpone. Let’s not try to take control of God’s Plan and Timing. Never should I forget that God has a plan for me even though I might not understand “Why?” I do not want to postpone getting ready for my future trip!
My future Trip will be the one that counts, one that will take me to the Top!