Coming back down the Park Butte Lookout Trail, hubby and I passed multiple groups headed up to summit Mt. Baker. Their enormous backpacks were spilling over with ice picks, helmets, and crampons. Hubby and I had no idea this trail was the access trail for summiting Mt. Baker. Cool!
I couldn’t help but think: “Wow! They’re headed up to summit Mt. Baker. How epic!”
Relationships are like a journey. As we travel along on our relational path together, there will be others on their own relational journeys who pass by. It might be tempting to compare: “Wow! Look at their relationship … how epic!”
Comparing kills relationships!
Each relationship is individually unique, and our relational journey with each other is one-of-a-kind.
If you take a close look at the background photo, the ridgeline running directly in front of the snow-covered mountain is the trail which the summit-hikers were taking. From our vantage point in the valley, hubby and I watched the tiny little dots of hikers advancing across the ridgeline.
Those hikers were on a different trail than we were. It is the same when it comes to relationships … God has called us each to our own individual “relational path.” It might be tempting to view someone else’s “relational path” as “more epic” than our own, but keep in mind that the “epic” summit trail was a lot harder than the trail hubby and I were on.
Because the summit trail was so difficult, the hikers were more prepared. Their backpacks were heavier. They had uniquely specialized gear for the hardships that lay ahead. They were going to be overnighting in the snow … with the lonesome cold winds blowing!
When looking at someone else’s relationship which seems to appear “more epic” … just keep in mind that their relationship has probably summitted some really intense hardships. They are probably carrying heavy gear, uniquely forged through their hardships. And they have had their fair share of lonesome cold winds blowing!
Our relational journey is exactly the path God has for us. And He will prepare and equip us for whatever lies ahead. Enjoy the relational journey God has given you.
