Dauntless Day Semi-Devotional

"Life Is Not Measured By the Number of Breaths We Take, But By the Moments That Take Our Breath Away"

-Anon.

spring break

noun

1. 1.

   a week's vacation for students in the spring, typically at Easter.

 To teachers, this is a time of rest, comfort, and relaxation. Except for that one day, you have to be dauntless, face your fears, look over the edge of the world and think for just one second you're on top of it and all of it's cares and worries lie below. 

daunt·less

ˈdôntlis 

adjective

1. 1.

   showing fearlessness and determination.

YES, it's a real word, made popular by the book and movie "Divergent". Overcome with the obsession of this book, I shall use this word to describe our journey...

My DAUNTLESS journey...

April 14, 2014-Monday

Just to make something clear, waking up on a Monday morning ready to be brave isn't something I am used to doing on a regular basis. It's something that I must consult my partner in crime in, Bear Rose. So off we go on our journey...

Once we arrive and on the 1.3 mi trail to the legitimate Hanging Rock, Bear stops and perches upon the rock and thinks we have made it. I inform him, we must keep pressing forward. 

The journey is rough and treacherous, mostly uphill, but we must keep our eyes on the path. For if we look away even for a second, we may trip and stumble on the rocks and stumps that are in our footpath. Sort of like, if our eyes stray away from Jesus for even a moment, Satan will use that vulnerable time as a way of tripping us up, and making us fall right where he wants us. "Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices." 2 Corinthians 2:11 KJV

So we make it to another rock...but still not Hanging Rock. 

Through what seemed like caves, and mountain climbing we find ourselves on the straight and narrow path that only the few faithful have traveled that have made it up the 1.3 mile hike to Hanging Rock. Just like Matthew 7:14 (KJV) says, "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." Only the dedicated and faithful to the path (of righteousness after accepting Jesus as Savior) will find the gates of Heaven. 

Here is our destination: Hanging Rock. Not. There. Yet.

We finally find our destination. The winds on top of the mountain were vicious, like they were trying to blow us off of it, but we surpassed them, fulfilling our destiny at hand.

The vantage point was breathtaking and the only thing we could hear were the winds around us. "The wind blows where it wants to. You hear its sound, but you don't know where it comes from or where it is going. That's the way it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." John 3:8 (ISV)

Of course we finally get to enjoy the view from on top of the mountain and then Bear gets dauntless...

After fear runs through my veins, and the wind is blowing like a giant blowing out candles, I'm a little worried about his safety and I make it known to him. Then the temptation of how neat it looks makes me have to try it...

And below us is the path we traveled to get to where we are...

We have lunch on top of Hanging Rock, enjoying God's creation. Then I realize something...

We are all pretty small in God's GIANT universe. And all things were created by Him for the glory of God the Father. 

"For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:" Colossians 1:16 KJV. 

We decided to eventually come off of the rock, for it should start raining soon. However, we decided to take Wolf Rock trail instead of going back to the car right away. This was twice the distance to Hanging Rock and back. We once again, decided to be brave. 

We reached it before the rains came...

And Bear got his moment of glory on top of the mountain...

We then started heading back to the car. Which was down the mountain, around a lake, and through a parking lot away. 

We keep walking, and keep walking, check the map, and keep walking. 

And after a while of staying on the path, finally....

Reach our destination...back to the car. 

Just a thought I had: as you stand on top of your mountains in life, remember who brought you there. Even when you are on the journey trying to fulfill your ultimate destination, remember who is always with you. Never lose sight of the most important things in life. Don't allow Satan to make you stumble on the "rocks" and "stumps" of life. And be DAUNTLESS for Christ, Never FEAR of doing what is right for HIM. You will NEVER regret it! 

Our average trip was 5.57 miles, 2hr 54min of hiking. The human average life span is 78.7 years. Regardless of your journey, remember who brought you to your destination and the beautiful mountains along the way. 

Enjoy the journey.

-Ashley Thomas and Bear Rose