We were hiking to the top of Mt. Humphries, the highpoint of Arizona. We spent the evening before loading our packs. It was a long trail and several hiking blogs warned that the altitude and temperature required extra water. We packed and unpacked trying to achieve the right balance between carrying the too little and too much. My pack weighed way more than I wanted, but I could not figure out what else I could leave out and be safe. The next morning we got up early. We drove to the trailhead and checked our packs one more time. The light of the morning was just dusting the treetops as we began.
The trail started by crossing ski slopes covered with waving grass getting ready for the coming snow. Then it entered a lush stand of aspen and pine trees. We were dwarfed by them. It climbed steeply through the forest. After about an hour we stopped and hid some water in the rocks. I marked it on my map. We had been drinking water, so it was good to lighten the load on our shoulders. After another hour, we hid some more water.
We broke out of the trees after about three hours and could see the summit. The last push was brutal. It was steep. It was hard to judge the distance and it sometimes felt like we were getting further away instead of closer. We lost the trail for a bit. We met some people who had scampered ahead of us and were already on the way down. It was a little demoralizing. They did not seem to be struggling. They did not seem to be carrying nearly as much as we were. I judged them in my mind saying, “They are not prepared for any emergencies. They are traveling too light.” I was envious in my muscles.
We finally got to the top. We took pictures. We hunkered down in some rocks to break the wind. We ate some food. We took a few minutes to look around. Not far away I saw this concrete block. There was no structure at the top, no building, no tower, nothing but rocks. Why a cinder block up here? I’ve been told that if you see a turtle on the top of a fence post, then you know someone put it there. If you see a concrete block on the top of a mountain, someone carried it there. It came by hand. There were no roads. We saw no evidence of pack animals, and they always leave evidence in the trails. What would cause a person to lug a 20 pound block of rock 5 miles to the top of a rock strewn plateau?
We are all carrying burdens. Some are ours to carry. Some are necessary (Heb. 13:17). Many are optional. Some are damaging. What burden could you unload? How would it feel to travel unburdened? What hurt in your past is weighing you down? Jesus says
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Mat 11:28-30).
When you get to the end of life don’t be carrying paving bricks (Rev 21:21), or unreasonable responsibilities (Numb 11:17), or unnecessary guilt (Ps 38:4). Lay your burdens at his feet and walk easy.