Backpacking and God

July 16, 2011

Hi, all! 

On Thursday night, my son, Guy, and I went backpacking in the Olympic Mountains. We hiked a few miles up the lower Quilcene River trail and camped at Bark Shanty camp. It was a short overnight trip, but refreshing to the soul and body. We got tired, sweaty and smoky and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

There's something about hiking in the mountains that renews me. Maybe it's the grandeur of the outdoors, or the challenge of living simply, or communing with one's body. But somehow for me it's a religious experience, too. Being in the mountains makes me feel closer to God.

Many of the stories in the Bible that feature appearances of God are in the wilderness: Moses on the mountain, Elijah in the desert, Jesus in the wilderness. Maybe it's because we're more vulnerable and open to God when we're on our own and stripped of our usual insulation.

Tomorrow's Old Testament lesson is about Jacob's experience of falling asleep exhausted in the desert as he fled from his brother's wrath. He dreamed of a ladder between heaven and earth, with angels ascending and descending, and he heard God's voice promising protection.

We live surrounded by awesome natural beauty. I'm making a special attempt to get out and experience God's presence this summer. I hope you will, too.

Surrounded by beauty ,

Bill