Cowles Mountain Hike

"Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?

If I go up to the heavens, you are there;

if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

if I settle on the far side of the sea,

even there your hand will guide me,

your right hand will hold me fast."

Psalm 139:7-10

After a hike up Cowles Mountain I was thinking about these verses. My friend K and I are trying to make it a once a week trek. It's quite a hike (especially for those that are out of shape like myself!) but nevertheless, fun.

It's fun to hike up the mountain with K because she enjoys God's creation so much. Every turn we make up the mountain provides us with another beautiful view of what God has made (we also get to take in the beautiful man-made city of San Diego!). "Oh, that's SO COOL!" I heard K say several times. It made me think that God is everywhere. When we hike up to the top of the mountain, He is there. When we are at home working, He is there. God is everywhere!

Not only is God everywhere but He also knows every thought we have and He promises to uphold us in the tough times. What an awesome promise.

Our time up the mountain always gives us a chance to talk and figure life out. A time for us to search our hearts and see what's going on in there.

Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 139 ends with verses 23 and 24. That is definitely my prayer for myself and for K. Life is not always easy, but God knows our thoughts and our paths and He is leading us.

After doing the 1.5 mile hike we reach the top and take in the beautiful view. You can see all of San Diego and it is breathtaking (heights do take my breath away). We take some time to talk to the other hikers and then slowly begin our descent. And still, God is with us.

K, thanks for hiking with me. I look forward to more times!