I had everything I needed to complete the hike
When I was eighteen, I attended a camp for Christian Scientists in Switzerland. The camp schedule was a surprise, so I didn’t know the activities until I got there. On the first day, I learned that we would be doing two big hikes over the course of the camp session. One was a three-hour hike up a mountain, and the other was an all-day hike that included sleeping in a cabin at the summit of a mountain, and hiking down the next day.
I was worried because I didn’t consider myself very strong, and I was afraid that I would have to return to camp without finishing the hikes. I was also upset because I wanted to make the most of this experience and was worried I wouldn’t be able to.
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Another item on the schedule was some quiet time after breakfast each day for all the campers to pray. Some gathered in groups to read the weekly Bible Lesson found in the Christian Science Quarterly, and others chose to read on their own. There was also a small library with Christian Science literature in several languages. I often joined groups to read the Lesson, but on the day of the first hike I decided to read Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy.
I knew I wanted spiritual help with the hike, but I didn’t know where to find it in the book. So I opened it at random and let God guide me. On the page I opened to, which is in the chapter titled “Christian Science Practice,” it mentions the cure for palsy, or paralysis. I wasn’t suffering from paralysis, but within that paragraph there was an idea that stood out to me. The passage says, “Destroy the belief, show mortal mind that muscles have no power to be lost, for Mind is supreme, and you cure the palsy” (p. 375).
I realized that I didn’t need to worry about my physical condition or whether I would be able to finish the hike, because God gives me strength. The Bible tells us that God is Spirit, and in the first chapter of Genesis it says that we are made in His image and likeness (see verse 26). Since we are God’s reflection, that means we are spiritual. I realized that since this is true, muscles aren’t the source of my strength and support—God is!
When quiet time ended, we got ready for the hike. I put on a pair of hiking shoes that someone had lent me, prepared my lunch, and started out. Every time I had a thought that I wouldn’t be able to finish or that I was tired or sore, I would stop, think about what I had read, and continue. I was able to finish the hike with the group and enjoy my lunch and a beautiful view. On the way down, it was the same. I didn’t have any problems or fatigue.
A few days later, there was the dreaded two-day hike. But I was no longer afraid. I knew that what had helped me the first time would also help me the second time.
Before we started the hike, we formed a circle and were asked to share spiritual inspiration. I shared what I’d learned with the group. After that, we started on the trail. As expected, I had no problems—not on the way up and not on the way down.
I was able to enjoy all the camp experiences, knowing that God is supreme and is the source of all the energy and strength I could ever need.