Hugging the Rim

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My family loves to hike. Last year we made a trip to the Adirondacks, and did some family hiking up legitimate elevation for the very first time. Because our kids are still very small, we had to carry the two youngest ones on our backs. With all that additional weight, it may have been one of the most difficult hikes of my life. But, the reward was worth it!

Mark Batterson, a pastor and author, tells a great story of hiking the Grand Canyon with his sons. He use this experience as a right of passage for his teenage boys. It took them two days of hard fought hiking, to traverse from one side of the canyon to the other.

To Batterson's surprise, Mark found the hike much more difficult than he expected as an avid climber. When they reached the other rim, this author encountered an interesting sight, different from the breathtaking views that spread out before him. He called them "Rim Huggers."

While he and his sons took in the views between gasps of breath, quick water swigs, and protein bar bites, there was also the people who got out of their air conditioned vehicles and strolled over to the edge in their khakis and saw the exact same  glorious views. 

What was the difference? The hike! Missing the hike is missing the whole experience. Men, today's challenge for you. God has build each of you uniquely with a desire for the epic. We believe that chics dig scars, and that strong men respect a firm handshake. 

Men, don't miss the hike! Don't miss out on raising your kids to understand the beautiful mystery of the Gospel. Don't miss the hike! Don't miss out on banding together with other men to lead Christ's bride; the Church to a place of unity, relevancy, and vibrancy. Men, the time is now. Are you a "Rim Walker" or a Rim Hiker?"

Pastor Milo