when "no thanks" isn't an option

I love tramping (hiking). You put everything you need in a backpack, turn off your phone and walk. In New Zealand, after several hours, you reach a hut where you stay for the night, often warming yourself by the wood fire and chatting with others.

But sometimes it's difficult. You don't feel like walking, the terrain is challenging or you incur a minor injury.

When the trail markers tell you to go up (or down) a track that looks too hard, there's no choice. You can't say, "no thanks" or "I'll go another way." And so you go. You push yourself beyond what you thought you were capable of and even though it's a bit dicey in places, you manage to figure it out and make it to the other side. And then you eat a piece of chocolate.

My faith feels like a big tramp these days. It's hard going at times and I don't always know if I can manage it, but in deciding I'll keep going and give it a try, I'm learning that I'm starting to find my way.