Uncertain Faith and Its Rewards
It was our first trip with the truck and fifth wheel trailer, the longest of either we had ever owned. The road into Wells Gray Park was decent so far. Twisty and hilly with several potholes, but as long as my husband kept our speed down, it was fine. Then we saw The Bridge. We come down a steep hill and around a sharp bend, and when I saw what we had to cross, I gasped. And said some less-than-stellar words. One narrow lane, with scrapes along both sides testifying to just how narrow, wooden planks, and it spanned a section of river that boiled so high, it looked as though it wanted to grab whoever dared to cross, much like a troll from a children’s fairy tale.
There was no room to turn around, and besides, our campsite was beyond this abyss. We weren’t sure if we could trust the bridge to withstand the weight of our unit, but we knew others had crossed safely. At least there were no trailers visible downstream! So my husband geared down and proceeded. I don’t think I breathed until we were safely across. The relief I felt as we regained terra firma burst out, “Thank You, Lord!”
We ended up crossing that bridge three more times. Twice as we took in the amazing sights and once as we ended our time there. Our faith in that bridge was terribly uncertain, but it wasn’t our faith that held us. It was the bridge.
Now I look back at my anxiety and consider the wondrous sights we would have missed, the hikes we took together, and the enjoyment of God’s amazing creation. And I wonder how many marvelous things I have missed throughout my life because the uncertainty of my faith stopped me. I tend to want to know how things will turn out. If I have doubts, I’d rather stay put.
The Bridge of Wells Gray showed me that uncertain faith, when acted upon, is real faith. We cannot always be comfortable on the roads God leads us onto, but we can trust Him. He will not fail.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5,6)
It was our first trip with the truck and fifth wheel trailer, the longest of either we had ever owned. The road into Wells Gray Park was decent so far. Twisty and hilly with several potholes, but as long as my husband kept our speed down, it was fine. Then we saw The Bridge. We come down a steep hill and around a sharp bend, and when I saw what we had to cross, I gasped. And said some less-than-stellar words. One narrow lane, with scrapes along both sides testifying to just how narrow, wooden planks, and it spanned a section of river that boiled so high, it looked as though it wanted to grab whoever dared to cross, much like a troll from a children’s fairy tale.
There was no room to turn around, and besides, our campsite was beyond this abyss. We weren’t sure if we could trust the bridge to withstand the weight of our unit, but we knew others had crossed safely. At least there were no trailers visible downstream! So my husband geared down and proceeded. I don’t think I breathed until we were safely across. The relief I felt as we regained terra firma burst out, “Thank You, Lord!”
We ended up crossing that bridge three more times. Twice as we took in the amazing sights and once as we ended our time there. Our faith in that bridge was terribly uncertain, but it wasn’t our faith that held us. It was the bridge.
Now I look back at my anxiety and consider the wondrous sights we would have missed, the hikes we took together, and the enjoyment of God’s amazing creation. And I wonder how many marvelous things I have missed throughout my life because the uncertainty of my faith stopped me. I tend to want to know how things will turn out. If I have doubts, I’d rather stay put.
The Bridge of Wells Gray showed me that uncertain faith, when acted upon, is real faith. We cannot always be comfortable on the roads God leads us onto, but we can trust Him. He will not fail.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5,6)
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