God calls us to do hard things! Challenger 2024 brought 14 hikers to the Emigrant Wilderness. We were all “off the grid” with no cellular or Internet service, so we packed everything we needed for the wilderness. This gave all the opportunity to consider the invitation that God has given us to become members of His family and to recognize that a life of faith is not designed to be a life of comfort and ease.

We were able to engage in meaningful conversations about how to live God’s way as we walked by the way, lay down and rose up (Deuteronomy 6:7-8). The time hiking and around the campfire provided many opportunities to discuss what it means to “Follow Me” and how to put God first in our lives.

God blessed every aspect of the trip including beautiful campsites and some refreshing rain on the Sabbath. The nighttime sky was breathtaking as we could see countless stars and the Milky Way on full display. We had a granite amphitheater overlooking Lower Buck Lake for Sabbath services where we considered the challenges that those who have come before us have faced in Hebrews 11 and how we also face challenges in our life as we write our own life stories of faith. The second message was about making the most of the talents and gifts God has given us and using them to serve the Body of Christ.

The participants were all able to build meaningful relationships with each other and God’s Word, while considering how to grow spiritually and face the challenges that life presents with courage and conviction. Every individual moderated a discussion regarding a biblical character that inspired them, where we learned more about the biblical character and the individual that presented by learning what they value and appreciate in others.

The hike was capped off with a “finishers banquet” at Mike’s Pizza. It gave everyone time to consider their accomplishment and look forward to the ultimate “Finisher’s Banquet” as described in Revelation 19:9.

Until then, let’s all face the challenges in this life and “lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run [hike] with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).