"He Enables Us To Stand on the Heights" by ReJean Twedt

The first couple of years that we lived here I would run on the median along the boulevard Avenida Las Americas.  It was mostly unpaved footpaths at the time and often I would trip (sometimes fall) on the tree roots and rocks along the way. Eventually, I learned how to maneuver the paths and run with more sure footing.  I had to change my ways to fit the bumpy path, and it became a much more enjoyable venture.  I find a parallel here with the unsure footing of navigating through a pandemic.  

The verse that has given me encouragement to maneuver more easily in this time of restrictions, disappointments, and fears is Habakkuk 3:19, “The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights.”  Like God designed the deers’ feet to be stable on uneven terrain, He designed us to be able to have solid footing in the roughest of circumstances. He enables us to walk in places we could not go without His help.   We can go to the heights when we trust God to lift us up, when our thoughts become more aligned with His thoughts.  It isn’t God who gives thoughts of fear or worry or “what ifs.”  What He does give are higher thoughts backed by His power and His strength living and dwelling within us. 

So, when the worry comes about when I will feel safe to travel to see family again, I climb higher to more solid footing. I stand firmer and align my thoughts more with His thoughts. I tell myself this worry isn’t from God.  With thanksgiving I praise Him for the friends here in Guatemala who have become more like family.  I ask for help in trusting His plan. I know He will not abandon me. He has strengthened my footing at other times and He will do so again. I will remind myself of His truths and walk with more confidence, trust, and gratitude. 

1 Corinthians 6:17 states, “But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with Him in spirit.” When we consciously come into union with the One who made us by thinking and responding and moving through the trials, it is life giving.

So, when our journeys take us down into a valley of doubt and fear, may we call on Him as Psalm 61:2 declares, “ From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint, lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” It is here that we find our place of refuge and our place of sound footing where we can more assuredly seek help in situations that can otherwise be overwhelming.