Whenever summer ends and we step into fall, many of us continue hiking the mountains. It is truly a privilege to live in such a beautiful place like British Columbia, Canada, where we can go on these trails with groups, family, friends, or even school trips.

One thing we all know about hiking is that it comes with challenges. Along the way there are difficult points, tiring stretches where we slow down, or even stop for a moment. Yet somehow, we never truly give up we keep pushing forward step by step, even through the pain.

On the trail, we face roots, mud, rocks, and uneven ground. We must carefully place each step, so we don’t stumble. As we continue, we also notice how shadows cover much of the path, but through the trees, little rays of sunlight break through.

The whole journey is a process. And when we finally reach the top of the mountain, after obedience to the trail and perseverance through the obstacles, we feel a deep sense of achievement. We see the full light and the breathtaking landscape before us.

In that moment of reflection, I realized something: hiking this mountain is much like the journey of life itself. Every obstacle we face roots, mud, rocks, shadows represent the trials, struggles, and temptations of life. And yet, just as I needed that little sunlight to guide me through the shadows, so in life we need the light of God’s Word.

This is what the psalmist meant when he said:

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” — Psalm 119:105

God doesn’t always show us the entire way at once. Instead, He gives us just enough light for the next step, so that we may trust Him, walk carefully, and reach the place He has prepared for us.

Trusting the Lamp on the Mountain

Think about this: when we keep walking uphill and it begins to get dark, we depend on the lamp strapped to our head. That lamp does not reveal the whole path—it only shows one or two steps ahead, but if we want to reach the top of the mountain, we must trust the lamp to guide us step by step.

The Christian life is much like to climb the mountain it requires obedience, faith, and trust. Just as we rely on a lamp on a dark trail, we must rely on God’s Word and His Spirit as we walk in Christ through all the shadows, difficulties, and obstacles of life. The mud, roots, and rocks along the way represent the trials thrown at us by the enemy—by the invisible forces of darkness working through people and circumstances (Ephesians 6:12).

Yet God calls us to keep moving forward, step by step, until we reach the top. Jesus promised us His help: “I will give you the Helper” (John 14:16), and “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you” (Luke 10:19). From the beginning, God gave mankind dominion over all creation (Genesis 1:26), but through the fall, the fallen angels became demons (Jude 1:6), and mankind fell under their attacks.

But when Christ was born, as God had promised, He restored our authority. Christ gave us power to overcome the snakes and scorpions, that is, the forces of evil, so that we might glorify God through every obstacle we face. Walking obediently in Christ, we can continue this journey of life, confident that His light will carry us through until we reach the summit.

Reaching the Top of the Mountain

As we continue walking, trusting in the lamp to guide us, we draw closer to the mountain’s peak. When we finally reach the top, the light opens before us. A beautiful landscape spreads out in every direction, and everything becomes clear things we could not see while we were at ground level. From the top, the whole view is revealed, and we realize the reward of the long, difficult hike.

In the same way, when we trust in the Word of God, it lights our path. Though at times we may only see one step at a time, in the end His Word reveals the fullness of the journey. Trusting the Word of God means trusting in Christ Himself, because He is the Light—the final path of life. As John wrote: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:1, 4–5).

Walking in Obedience to Christ’s Commands

But if we desire to see that light at the end of our life’s journey, we must also walk in obedience. Just like, if we remain steadfast and obedient through the challenges of the mountain, we will eventually reach the summit. In the same way, if by God’s grace and mercy we obey the commands of Jesus to love one another, not to follow the desires of the flesh but to live for our souls then we will surely reach the final light of Christ.

 We cannot continue in sin and still expect to reach the summit of God’s light. Jesus clearly said: “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Obedience is the evidence of our love for Him, and through it, we walk faithfully toward the everlasting light of Christ.

In His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5), Jesus gave us new commands that go beyond outward religion and reach deep into the heart:

• Not only “do not murder,” but do not even be angry with your brother (Matthew 5:21–22).
• Not only “do not commit adultery,” but do not look with lust (Matthew 5:27–28).
• Be faithful in marriage (Matthew 5:31–32).
• Speak truthfully; let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No” (Matthew 5:33–37).
• Do not repay evil for evil but turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:38–42).
• Love not only your neighbor but even your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:43–44).

Through these commands, Jesus shows that righteousness is not merely external—it is a matter of the heart. He said: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17).

But remember this: our forefather Adam and mother Eve sinned against God by disobedience. Because of that, every one of us is born with a root of disobedience in our nature (Romans 5:12). By ourselves, we cannot obey God fully. We were weak, trapped under sin’s power. Yet in Christ, we are weak no more. We cannot justify sinful habits by saying, “I am weak.” For Christ has given us power to obey, to resist sin, and to reach the summit of His light.

The Gospel is this: Jesus fulfilled the law perfectly, died for our sins, and rose again to give us new life. By His Spirit, we can now walk in obedience—not to earn salvation, but because salvation has already been given by grace (Ephesians 2:8–10). Therefore, let us love one another, for love is the fulfillment of the law (Romans 13:10). But this kind of love cannot happen until we fully surrender to the Lord’s commands and walk in the grace already prepared for us in Christ Jesus.

May the Lord bless you, keep you safe, and guide your steps by His Word until you reach the summit of His everlasting light.