We each have our own trail to hike and our own speed to do it at. Comparing our journey to others will only lead to frustration and exhaustion.
Hike your own trail at your own speed.
–Joël Malm, Founder, Summit Leaders
How often do we compare our lives, our ministry effectiveness, or our “outcomes” with others? This blog post, written by Joël Malm, speaker, author, and founder of Summit Leaders, shares insights learned on a hike along the Na Pali coast on Kauai. He has given us permission to share it with you. Read more at www.joelmalm.com.
Why Am I Always Trying to Catch Up?
I took a Summit Leaders team to hike the Na Pali Coast. It’s beautiful trek along the Pacific Ocean on the island of Kauai. I had been out front most of the hike, but I stepped aside to take a picture. I was kind of hidden and the team walked past me.
I fell in line behind them and was following closely. I normally hike at a fairly slow, steady pace so I felt like I was running to keep up. We kept going faster and faster up the hills. I was exhausted and nearly just stopped, but I kept thinking I have to keep up or I’ll look bad. I’m the leader.
We finally stopped at the top of an intense uphill section. I was panting hard. The guy leading turned around and gave me a look of shock.
“What are you doing back there? I’ve been trying to catch up with you and couldn’t figure out how you were hiking so fast.”
It made me think about how often I wear myself out chasing after a particular person or thing that I think is setting the pace. I feel like I have to keep up or I’ll look bad. Meanwhile, it’s quite possible that same person thinks they are trying to keep up with me.
We each have our own trail to hike and our own speed to do it at. Comparing our journey to others will only lead to frustration and exhaustion.
Hike your own trail at your own speed.
But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding. 2 Cor. 10:12
Written by Joël Malm
Posted by Leona Bergstrom, Director, Re-Ignite
Photo by Richard Bergstrom
