Taking the First Steps

by Mara Fountain

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” –Matthew 7:7

This summer, my family and I ventured out into the Colorado wilderness on a weeklong bikepacking trip from Telluride, Colorado to Moab, Utah. On our trip, I was forced to rely on my relationship with God while experiencing many different aspects of the wonderful world God created for me.

In particular, the sixth day of our adventure was a day full of God’s glory. My family and I were tasked with biking 3,000 feet up a mountain outside of a tiny town called Gateway. We started out that morning dreading the unavoidable trek. Even with all my training, I knew the only way I was ever going to make it to the top was with God’s help.

When we started climbing, I could feel the exhaustion throughout my entire body. My legs were tired of riding, while my hands really did not want to grip those handlebars ever again. Nonetheless, I knew that going back was not an option for me. About a quarter of the way up the hill, I dismounted and started walking up the hill, wheeling my bike beside me. That was when I stopped and gazed at the scenery around me. I was in a canyon between two bronze-colored plateaus. I could see the road below me, twisting through the canyon’s crevices, and the sky above me, glowing a brilliant blue. God’s grace was revealed perfectly in this place, and it reminded me that God is always there to support me; all I must do is ask. So, I did. I first gave thanks that He revealed to me the beautiful place I was in. I prayed to God for strength, that He would empower me to continue even though I felt like giving up. Eventually, with God’s guidance, I was able to make my way up the hill.

In my experience, God is always within reach. We simply must be the ones to reach out. He leads us through life and brings us to wonderful places filled with wonderful people. He makes His love as obvious as the sun at noon. However, sometimes we forget that all good things come from Him. In my life, I easily become preoccupied by other things, and I forget to focus on God. In those times, I don’t depend on Him as I should. In this verse, Matthew 7:7, I am reminded that God always stays by my side, ready to support me whenever I need Him. In one way or another, He answers all my prayers. All I have to do is ask.

Dear God, thank You for always watching over me and for loving me so much. Open my eyes and show me Your grace in my life so that I may be reminded of Your goodness. Help me to seek You with my whole heart, Lord, so that I may have a closer relationship with You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.