Share the Load - Martin Wiles

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 NIV

With more than two thousand miles to walk, he chose carefully what to put in his backpack.

World War II was over, and Earl Shaffer needed to walk it out of his system. He chose the Appalachian (or Government) Trail to do so. At the time, the trail began at Oglethorpe, Georgia, and extended to Mount Katahdin, Maine. Since most of the men had been away fighting in the war, the trail had fallen into disrepair, making the journey more challenging. 

Earl’s motto was “Carry as little as possible but choose that little with care.” And he did. He carried a survival tent, poncho, rain hat, knife, axe, sewing kit, snake-bite kit, cook kit, clothing, and a week’s worth of food. Even though he chose the bare minimum to put in his pack, he still felt overloaded. 

Because of Earl’s training and determination—and because he carefully chose what he carried—he became the first person to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. 

I’ve done a little backpacking myself and know how important it is to choose my load with care. My first extended backpacking trip with my daughter revealed I hadn’t learned Earl’s wisdom. My pack weighed in at fifty pounds, and my daughter’s at thirty-five. Although we had fun, we also experienced misery because of unnecessary weight. Our loads slowed us down and taxed our backs. 

What Paul states in this verse makes common sense. Any burden shared is lighter. Jesus said the load of obeying him was easy, so if following him is causing us misery, we must be doing something wrong. 

Burdens are cumbersome when we carry the wrong things in our life’s pack. They might include bitterness, unforgiveness, anger, immorality, depression, frustration, hurt, or lies. When we carry unhealthy emotions, actions, or relationships, our souls ache. Nor does anyone want to help us bear them. 

Helping others with their loads makes the load lighter. Many people helped Earl along the way, making his journey more bearable. People who took him to get food and supplies. People who gave him a place to stay out of the inclement mountain weather. Giving others permission to hold us accountable, helping others bear their life loads, and depending on God for strength are all vital. 

Don’t try to do life alone. Share the load. 

Father, motivate me to carry others’ loads and, most of all, to depend on you for strength to do so. 

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Safe in the Shelter - Martin Wiles

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1 NLT

The shelter was only a few hundred feet away, but at the moment, it may as well have been a mile.

I had grown accustomed to storms while hiking in the mountains. Which is why I started early in the morning so I could finish before late afternoon, when storms were known to arrive. 

On this particular day, my brother, daughter, and I were on the Appalachian Trail in northern Georgia. We planned to arrive at our destination around noon, set up camp, and then ditch our packs before hiking for a few more miles.

We reached our destination on time, but as soon as we unloaded, thunder rolled across the mountains. We quickly set up our tents. No sooner had we driven the last stake than powerful pelting rain, sharp peels of lightning, and booming bangs of thunder slithered across the mountains. A trail shelter was only three hundred feet away, but we couldn’t reach it at the moment.

During a brief lull in the lightning and thunder, we ran for the shelter like deer from hunting dogs. Soaked to the skin, we huddled in the crude building for the next four hours, listening as one storm after another marched across the mountains.

The psalmist also discovered a shelter in the God he served—a shelter that provided rest and comfort.

The mountain storms I’ve encountered were nothing compared to some of the life storms I’ve experienced. During these times, the shelter of God’s protection often seemed close but unreachable. But it only appeared that way. 

God always has a shelter for our troubled souls. The storm may continue to rage, but we're protected from harm when we rest in God’s sheltering arms.

Just as we had to make an effort to get to the shelter, we, too, must run to the shelter God provides. Our efforts demonstrate to God that we recognize our need and love for him. And that we understand we can’t handle life on our own.

Shelters of various styles dot the length of the Appalachian Trail. God is our ultimate shelter, but he manifests himself in different ways. Sometimes, he shelters us through the presence of others.

God’s shelters are always close when the storms of life pummel. Run to him often, and find the protection and peace he offers.

Father, may I remember that you are my ultimate shelter in the storms of life.

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Walk the Path - Martin Wiles

Mark out a straight path for your feet; then stick to the path and stay safe. Proverbs 4:26 NLT

Though once clear and distinct, the path has now disappeared.

Paths vary in length and purpose. The Appalachian Trail marches over two thousand miles of the roughest terrain in the Eastern United States and is traversed by thousands yearly. I’ve walked parts of it. The Foothills Trail meanders some eighty miles along the most remote mountainous areas of the North Carolina-South Carolina border. I’ve walked all of it.

But there was another path—one that connected my maternal grandparents’ home with my aunt and uncle’s. In comparison, not many people walked it, but thousands of footprints kept it well-worn. Footprints that represented numerous trips for various purposes: to eat a meal, to spend the night, to ask a question, to have a glass of Southern sweet tea, to borrow a cup of sugar, to go fishing, to go hunting, to play in the hog pen.

In 1991, one terminus of the path vanished when my grandmother died. Then, in 2015, the other terminus moved when my aunt died. 

On a final trip to see my aunt before her final trip, I noticed the path had vanished. What was once well-worn was now grass-covered. The last time anyone walked it was 1991. There was no reason. Strangers had bought and moved into my grandparents’ home. Exactly how long it was after people stopped walking the path that it disappeared, I’m not sure. But eventually, the last sprig of grass snaked over the final bare spot, and it was gone—never to be seen or walked again.

For me, this path between the two homes led to family, fellowship, love, fun, and safety. Other paths have various purposes. The one we must walk to Jesus represents forgiveness and eternal life with the God who loves us. As we walk it, spiritual growth should take place.

Paths can also lead to new friendships and love relationships—to happiness and contentment. And, of course, some paths—those that are damaging to us spiritually, emotionally, or physically—should be left to grow over, like the one between my relatives’ homes.

Consider the paths you’re walking. Where are they taking you and why? Then, walk the path your Creator planned for you.

Father, guide me to the path that leads me to You and then to the path of loving others. 

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Shelter in a Storm - Martin Wiles

The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Psalm 9:9 NLT

We had no reason to think we’d need shelter in a storm.

My brother, two children, and I had set out for an overnight camping trip on the Appalachian Trail. No sooner had we reached the gap where we planned to camp than the sound of thunder peeled through the mountain valleys. So, we quickly erected our tents.

Within minutes, the lighting popped, and rain poured. The only things separating us from danger were tall trees and the rubber mats we sat on. We knew an AT shelter sat a few hundred yards down the trail, but we were scared to venture out. After thirty minutes, the storm subsided enough for us to hightail it to the shelter. There, we spent the next four hours, listening as one storm after another marched across the mountains.

The psalmist pictures God as a shelter for those experiencing trouble. The AT shelter provided cover for us, but since it was only three-sided and as exposed to lightning as our tents, we weren’t much safer. The shelter didn’t prevent the storm from coming nor shorten its length or intensity.

Having God as a shelter doesn’t mean storms won’t come. In fact, I’ve experienced numerous life storms since I made him my shelter. But in the shelter, God strengthens our faith in him to protect us. He may not prevent the storm, but he will safely carry us through it.

While the shelter doesn’t affect the storm, being in the shelter changes our perspective. Our Shelter can lessen the storm’s intensity and duration if he chooses. The shelter is also the place where we’re reassured that God’s in control. He won’t allow anything in our lives that won’t form us more into his image. In the shelter of God’s arms, we’re safe—even if the storm takes our lives.

What shelter do you run to when life gets loud and dangerous?

Prayer: Father, thank You for being our shelter when the storms of life assault us. 

Tweetable: Where do you find shelter in your storms? 

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Walk-on Wednesday - Letting the Weights Fall - Martin Wiles

Welcome to Walk-on Wednesday. By Hump Day, we are struggling, but we believe a good devotion can strengthen us to finish the week strong. 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. Hebrews 12:1 NLT

Every spring, thousands attempt it.

The Appalachian Trail extends from Springer Mountain, Georgia, to Mount Katahdin, Maine, more than 2,000 miles. The percentage of those who finish a thru-hike is low. Many drop out while hiking the access trial to the initial starting point. Those who continue usually find they must discard much of the paraphernalia they thought necessary: heavy tents, clothes, food. Any item that’s not absolutely necessary to complete the journey. Otherwise, the weight will weigh down the person’s physical shape and affect their emotional fortitude. Hiking the trail is more mental than physical.

Since the inception of time, millions of believers have walked the trail to heaven. All who begin finish, but many grow discouraged along the way, leading them to temporarily get off the trail or become emotionally and spiritually drained. Fortunately, they have many cheerleaders. All those who’ve made it are cheering from heaven.

I’ve never hiked the entire Appalachian Trail, but my daughter and I did complete the Foothills Trail that runs along the South Carolina/North Carolina border. On one such five-day trek, we discovered we had taken too much. While we didn’t discard anything along the way, we determined we’d pack lighter in the future. Fifty-pound packs make walking cumbersome—especially when hiking up steep peaks.

Many things can weigh us down as we attempt to live the Christian life. What they are, we discover through experience. When we’ve discovered them, we’re wise not to pick them up again and to stay away from anything or anyone who might encourage us to. These weights may be sins or simply innocent things that get in the way of us serving God fully. Either way, they must go if they hinder our spiritual journey. God is perfectly willing to help us put them away; we must simply ask.

What weights are slowing down your spiritual journey?

Prayer: Father, at this moment, we let any hindering weights fall so we can run our race well for You. 

Tweetable: What weights are holding you back? 

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Down to the Bare Essentials - Martin Wiles

He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! 1 Kings 19:6 NLT

Only by carrying as little as possible can they reach their goal.

Each year, thousands of backpackers set out to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. Statistics reveal that only about twenty-five percent of those who begin make it to the end—some 2,000 miles away.

Those who accomplish the feat learn to live with the bare essentials. The pack of an experienced hiker weighs somewhere between twenty and twenty-five pounds. Anywhere from eight to fourteen pounds of that is food. This doesn’t leave much weight for their essentials, which are toilet paper, toiletries, a cooking stove, a water filter, clothes, first aid materials, and a sleeping bag.

To reduce weight, thru-hikers carry nothing but the necessities. They leave the tent and sleep in AT shelters. They may even remove the tube from the toilet paper roll. Every pound counts when living with the bare essentials for six months.

The prophet Elijah found himself temporarily living with the bare essentials. He had challenged the 450 prophets of Baal and their counterparts—the 400 prophets of Asherah—to a contest on Mount Carmel. The time had come to reveal the true God, and the one God would reveal Himself by fire. Elijah’s God won, and Elijah eliminated the false prophets.

But the wicked queen wasn’t happy. She placed a twenty-four-hour death sentence on Elijah, causing him to run for his life. Tired, depressed, and lying under the shade of a tree, Elijah was awakened by an angel. God provided him with food—but it was only the bare essentials of bread and water.

Sometimes, God takes us down to the nitty-gritty. He removes so much from us that we, like Elijah, wonder how we can go on. And perhaps, we don’t want to. But God doesn’t take us to these unhappy places to destroy us or to cause us to give up.

When God gives us only the bare essentials, it is so our trust and faith in Him will grow. He knows this will only happen if He removes some things or changes some circumstances. Often, the more we have the more selfish we become. God wants us to remember everything we have comes from Him and should be used for His Kingdom's work in some way.

Living with the bare essentials teaches us to depend on God—not things, position, identity, or others. We can look up to the One who has our best interests at heart when it appears we’re at our lowest point.

When God takes you down to the bare essentials, trust that He knows what He is doing.

Prayer: Father, in our times of living with the bare essentials, we trust You. 

Tweetable: What do you do when you get down to the bare essentials? 

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Walking the Wide Path - Martin Wiles

You have made a wide path for my feet to keep them from slipping. Psalm 18:36 NLT

We had no idea our destination would take us along such a narrow path.

My brother and I aimed for Charlie’s Bunion, one of the more attractive spots in the Great Smokey Mountain National Park—so named because it looks like a bunion. But in this case, the bunion perches on the side of a steep mountain. Reaching it requires driving to Newfound Gap—the halfway point between Cherokee, North Carolina, and Gatlinburg, Tennessee—and accessing the Appalachian Trail.

The trail leaving the parking lot at Newfound Gap is wide and pleasant, but conditions rapidly change. Prior to reaching Charlie’s Bunion, the trail narrows to a one-way path. Meeting other people requires stepping to the side so they can pass—but the side closest to the mountain. Stepping to the opposite side will send one down a steep mountainside that would likely end in death. Scaling Charlie’s Bunion is no safer. We did it anyway. One slip and I would have fallen from the same mountain.

Hiking in the mountains has carried me along wide and narrow paths. The psalmist said God made a wide path for his travels, and the wide path kept him from slipping. Jesus said something more disturbing about a wide path. Those who travel it see their lives destroyed. The psalmist had another wide path in mind. His led to eternal life and joyful living.

I’d rather ramble along the wide path. And that’s the one I’ve chosen. The path is wide because God prepared it for me. He guides my steps and prepares my future. Walking the wide path keeps me in His will.

Walking the wide path of God’s will requires that I obey His commands and serve others with love. But I don’t do it grudgingly. God loved me in the past, loves me in the present, and will adore me for eternity. Knowing this, I can’t help but demonstrate my appreciation.

Traveling the wide path doesn’t mean I won’t ever slip. I’ve fallen on narrow and wide paths. Trials and temptations will try my faith. Sometimes, I’ll give in, get bitter, grow discouraged, or fight depression. But this won’t be the norms. God is faithful to pick me up, restore my soul, and brighten my outlook on life.

Let God guide you down the wide path where you can experience His love and care—and where you can experience life at its best.

Tweetable: Are you on God's path?

Prayer: Father, take us along the wide path where we can see Your plan for our life materialize. 

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Filtered for Purity - Martin Wiles

But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. Daniel 1:8 NLT

The difference between using one and not using one often means contamination, days off the trail, and painful diarrhea.

I met him on a guided hike. He was the first person I’d ever talked to who had thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail. I had questions, and he had answers. But one story rose above the rest: his bout with giardia. Trail angels had left fresh fruit in a stream by one of the AT shelters. Hunger for more than trail food consumed him. He grabbed the fruit, sunk his teeth into it, and soon regretted his decision. He lost two days of walking, sick from contaminated water.

Never have I drunk from an unfiltered water source. Generally, I use a PUR water filter which guarantees to remove ninety-nine percent of germs. Fortunately, I’ve never suffered from giardia. Purity is important.

Purity was on Daniel’s mind. He was among the first of the exiles to experience deportation to Babylon—a subject of foreign invaders who worshiped pagan gods and read pagan literature. But Daniel stood out, along with his friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The king chose them to serve him, but they first needed preparation—which included eating the king’s food and drinking his wine. A practice that would defile Daniel according to Jewish laws. He offered a suggestion. He and his friends wanted to try vegetables and water. At the end of ten days, they looked healthier than those eating the king’s food.

The believer’s body is a temple of God’s Spirit. He lives there permanently and continuously. What I put into my body affects Him. But it’s not the food I eat or the liquids I drink—although they may affect my physical condition. Contamination is more about my thoughts, actions, and words.

Remaining pure means thinking on what is true, just, righteous, noble, kind, uplifting, honorable, and lovely. My thoughts lead to actions, which will be pure or impure depending on what I think on. Actions reflect my character. Through them, people see the real me. And the real me means more than the words I speak.

Nietzsche, the atheistic philosopher who proclaimed God was dead, said of Christians; “I will believe in the Redeemer of the Christians when they act like they are redeemed.”

God is holy, makes His children holy in position, and expects us to be pure in our lifestyles. 

Commit to a pure lifestyle.

Tweetable: Are you pursuing purity? 

Prayer: Father, enable us to live pure lives as good representatives of the pure God we serve. 

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