20. Jul 2023

Mauterndorf - Gries

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105)

Early this morning I walked past this lamppost next to the path. I immediately thought of these words from Psalm 119. How true this has been for my life since I said yes to Jesus when I was 16. There is so much wisdom and truth in God's word to help us discern, make life's decisions and direct our way through life. God's word has never failed me, but many times corrected, protected, encouraged, enabled and renewed me.
Photos 2-4: The path today started off very gentle and through the valley. At the end, however, was a steep climb 815 meters up a ski mountain called Katschberg. If you look at the trail profile, it looks like a pyramide. The downside of the mountain was a steep walk along a road. I was glad when I got to the campground and could order some gulash and noodles to to refill my energy levels. While I was eating, another young man from Belgien sat down to eat as well. He had just ridden his bike up and down the same mountain and is on his way to Hungary. He told me he had to push his bike up the mountain part of the way and cursed as he did it. I said I had to carry my backpack up the whole time, but sang my pilgrim song now and then as I did it. He said he is a personal trainer. I told him I was a spiritual trainer. He said he was raised as a Catholic, but that faith has been pushed way to the back in his life. He knows God is there for emergencies. I said that God will help us in a time of need, because he is gracious, but he has much more to give us like strength and wisdom for our daily challenges, even overcoming physical and mental mountains. His word is there to be a light to our path...

Photo 5: All is well that ends well. It was a cool night after a hot and strengous day. I slept real good.