Hinds’ Feet on High Places

Hinds’ Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard, I would have to say this is an easy sell. You’ve probably heard about Hannah’s book from many of your Christian friends. I heard about it a few times before I actually had the chance to check it out.

It begins…

“This is the story of how Much-Afraid escaped from her Fearing relatives and went with the Shepherd to the High Places where perfect love casteth out fear.” Much-Afraid, living in the Valley of Humiliation has been in the service of the Chief Shepherd.

While her Fearing relatives begin to make plans for her future, in her daily communication with the Chief Shepherd she voices her desire to go to the High Places to escape them. The Chief Shepherd is happy, and offers an invitation. Much-Afraid’s life will change and through her journey, it is her desire as well as the Chief Shepherd’s that she will develop hinds’ feet to live in the High Places.

The best laid plans of mice of men…

Much-Afraid’s journey in Hinds’ Feet on High Places is not always the straight and narrow path that she would wish for, being much afraid and all. Sound familiar?

It is a long journey representing many a life and an allegory that can easily translate into one’s own personal struggles with life, or lack of it if one were to choose living in the Valley of Humiliation and avoid the journey of a lifetime.

I like the compartmentalized reality in Hinds’ Feet on High Places, of the habits and weaknesses we struggle with translated into the company Much-Afraid keeps. There are the different types of Fear that Much-Afraid walked with, a cousin named Pride, her constant companions Sorrow and Suffering and the Chief Shepherd who was always available no matter how far away he seemed to be.

Much-Afraid is transformed on her journey, and along the way is ever mindful to keep a remembrance of all the blessings she encounters as she struggles to reach the High Places.

There is so much to share from this book, but I can’t ruin it for the rest of you who have yet to have the pleasure of reading Hinds’ Feet on High Places. I can only say that this book is full of beauty and promise, a lesson in life and one’s hoped for relationship with our Lord realized.

Any readers of this Christian classic that would like to share their insite? What was your favorite part of Hinds’ Feet on High Places? Have you read it in a study setting that offered good spiritual feedback from others?

Photo: L. Trevarthen, Assorted pebbles and stones