By: Craig Philpott

We miss you! We miss seeing your faces on campus. We especially miss worshiping together as a campus family. Since we won’t be able to wander down to the Church tonight to gather for vespers, we wanted to share a short devotional thought instead. This week we asked the director of admissions, Craig Philpott to share a short but meaningful thought. 

The other day I hiked down the path to Linda Falls on the western edge of Howell Mountain. The path is rutted and worn and there are even spots where the path is a bit of a trench from all the years of footsteps that have traveled it. As I walked, I wondered how much wear and tear to the path had come from my 30 years of hiking. I continued on and crossed the flat portion of the trail and looked around at the nearby forest and was reminded how small the trees are in the section of the hill that is almost solid rock. The trees are small and stunted, the brush has open spots of solid rock that no one would call a “meadow.” But life is still there, holding on, growing, not thriving as in easier locations but solid, firm and alive.

Later, as I returned, climbing up the hill toward the road, I again encountered the sections of the path that were deep and worn. This time it struck me that the path was “worn in” not “worn out.” The path has carried the memories of every hiker, every student, every faculty, staff, and guest of the college for over 100 years; and the years have added character to the journey. I know my footsteps have added to the worn-in spots on the trail and I hope my journey has made the path better.

Psalms 16, verses 8-11

“I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay.

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”