Take a Step and Breathe

Isaiah 40:31
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not grow weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Philippians 4:9
Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me…

It was the second day of our trek to the Everest region in Nepal. The first day had been relatively easy. Everybody in my group had done great, including me! But the real trekking was before us. The trail got very steep and winding for the next several miles. Our goal was to reach the village of Namche Bazaar (altitude of about 12,000 feet) by mid-afternoon. Starting altitude was about 9600 feet. Piece of cake, I thought. How wrong I was!
After the first half mile I was worn out. The altitude was affecting me. I was going too fast, and I was overconfident. After a rest break, one of our Sherpa guides came to me and began to gently instruct me in the art of trekking. Unfortunately I can not recall his name, but I do recall that he was kind, encouraging, and humble in his instruction. It was the most valuable information I received during the entire trip! He taught me the trekker’s step. I was to take a step, pause and breathe, take a step, pause and breathe, and do this all the way to Namche.
My Sherpa friend told me if I practiced this trekking method, I’d make it without a problem. I put into practice what he showed me, and I did make it! I was one of the last of our group to get to the village, but the goal was not to be the first to arrive. The goal was to simply arrive. I have never forgotten this trekking technique. Several years later, I went on a second trip to Nepal and used the trekker’s step. I also shared the method with my group.
More importantly, God has shown me how to apply the trekker’s step to my life with Him. Following God is a step at a time with breathing time in between the steps. We are all familiar with the expression ”one day at a time.” Anyone who is leaving an addiction will say that a key part of recovery is “taking it one day (or step) at a time.” For me, “Take a step, breathe, and wait on the Lord (repeat)” is more accurate. Waiting on God to show me the next step, and letting Him refresh me while I catch my breath is vital in my walk with Him. Yes, there will be times of taking more than one step. There will be times when I can even run! God will show me those times. But I need to allow for breathing, for waiting on Him to renew me, for pausing to listen to Him. This takes practice and mindful effort. I have to want to “put into practice” as Paul exhorts, taking life a “trekker’s step” and a breath at a time. I pray that God will help me to do this every moment of every day. And I will fly like an eagle, maybe even higher than Mount Everest!

-Dean Walker