Just 100 Yards More. Keep Going.

Sometimes God meets us in the most unexpected places.

My family spent a few days camping at Pokagon State Park. It was one of those weekends that fills your cup—campfires, laughter, hiking trails, and just slowing down enough to enjoy being together.

One afternoon we set out on a family hike. After a few miles, the girls decided they had seen enough trail for one day and headed back to camp. My oldest son, my youngest son, and I decided to keep going.

Our goal was to complete part of Pokagon's "Hell's Point Challenge." Along the trail are several landmarks, and if you find them all, you earn a sticker to commemorate finishing the challenge. I'm not too old to admit that I still like earning a sticker every now and then.

Family Hike at Pokagon State Park

About four miles into the hike, we reached the roughest section of trail. The terrain became steeper, rockier, and more exhausting with every step. Eventually we climbed to the top of a long hill where a bench overlooked the woods below.

We sat down on that nice bench to catch our breath and drink some water. Praise God.

While we rested, I pulled out the trail map.

Yet, the more I looked at it, the more discouraged I became.

I was convinced we had somehow missed the landmark we had been hiking toward. I wasn't completely sure where we had gone wrong, but I was fairly certain we had already passed it. After miles of hiking, I was ready to turn around and head back. I had just finished telling my tiring boys our navigational dilemma.

Then something unexpected happened.

A couple came walking up the trail from the direction we had planned to go and as they approached, I asked if they happened to know where the landmark was.

The couple responded with a smile and said, "It's just up the trail about 100 yards. You're not far at all. Keep going."

Just 100 yards. Praise God!

Sure enough, we rounded one more bend, and there it was.

After all the climbing, all the questioning, and all the temptation to quit, we had been only about 100 yards away.

We snapped our picture, celebrated finding the landmark, and eventually headed back to camp. We didn't finish the entire challenge that day. Maybe we'll come back and finish it another time. Dad is still working on getting in shape, and little legs can only hike so many miles.

But I haven't stopped thinking about those words: "It's just up the trail about 100 yards."

How many times have we been spiritually closer than we realized?

How often do we become discouraged just before God is about to show us what He's been leading us toward?

Maybe you've been praying for someone you love.

Maybe you've been fighting a temptation that won't seem to let go.

Maybe you've been faithfully serving without seeing much fruit.

Maybe you're simply tired.

The enemy loves to whisper, "Turn around. Give up. You've missed it."

"That person will never change."

"You will never overcome this addiction, it's who you are."

"God doesn't work like that in your life"

But sometimes God sends someone along the trail to remind us, "Keep going. You're closer than you think."

Paul wrote:

"I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14)

The hardest part of endurance is usually the end of the race. That's when every step feels heavier.

I've heard it said - the storm is the fiercest the closest to the breakthrough.

That's when quitting seems most reasonable.

But that's also when faith keeps walking.

Friend, I don't know what trail you're on today, but maybe this is your reminder:

It's just another 100 yards.

Keep praying.

Keep trusting.

Keep obeying.

Keep following Christ.

And when you finally arrive at the place God has been leading you, don't forget who carried you there. Give Him all the glory.

Because our good Father is faithfully working all things together for the good of those who love Him. (Romans 8:28).

So don't quit.

It may be just another 100 yards.