Recently my two boys and I decided to tackle Barr Trail—the trail leading up to the top of Pike’s Peak. It’s not an easy hike. About 13 miles long, the trail starts at 6,700 feet and rises to 14,110 by the time you reach the peak. As you progress up the trail you quickly realize how difficult it will be. Steep climbs, endless switchbacks, and thin air all conspire to bring you to your knees.

Well, we arrived at the trail head around 4:30 am and began our ascent. No sooner had we begun and the challenge began. The first few miles are switchbacks along the steepest section of the trail. However, just as I was beginning to think, “Why am I doing this,” the trail leveled out a bit. Not completely flat, really, but noticeably less steep. My legs and lungs immediately registered the decreased exertion. Even though we were still climbing, even though the challenge continued, still those moments restored us and drove us further on.

As we walked through a couple of easy miles, I realized how much like following Christ the Barr Trial can be. Just like walking that trail, following Christ presents times of challenge and difficulty. It isn’t for no reason he invites us to, “count the cost.” Just like walking that trail, the trials and tribulations we face following Christ threaten to bring us to our knees. Just like walking that trail, there are moments we may even wonder, “why am I doing this?”

But just like walking that trail there are times of relative ease, where the path may still be challenging, but not as difficult as before. Those are moments of grace, when Christ restores the soul and whispers, “I won’t let you fall.”

As I walked that trail I stopped for a moment, with the sun just rising over the horizon, and thanked God for the grace that restores soul and drives me on.