I woke up this morning at about 8:30 to work on homework for about an hour and a half. I did succeed, over halfway done with one essay and about 2/5 done on the other one. So then I ate, sat around while my laundry was in the machine, and then left for the trail at about 1:00. I got back to campus at about 4:30, dead tired. I took some of the hardest trails in the system today, conquering a trail I have wanted to do since I got here and finishing one that I had to abort at an earlier date. Altogether, I figure I hiked about 8 miles total, which is a lot for taking last week off from hiking. I have huge blisters on the back of my heels, otherwise I could have gone further.
All the time I was hiking I was thinking about life, since I was by myself. I feel like my faith has grown in some ways since I got here, and I think part of it's because I've been increasingly exposed to nature. There's just something meditative and spiritual about it. Probably because God made it. Anyway, I kept thinking of this verse, and I don't remember where it is, but it's something about "narrow is the path that leads to salvation." It seemed fitting that the most winding and difficult trails on that mountain seem to have the best views. I'm not equating nature with salvation, but most people would rather drive on the freeway or sit at home watching TV than get out in the woods and hike and climb around all day. That's way less difficult, and they're missing out on some amazing aspects of life that God gave us to enjoy.
One more thing. I took a picture from Raptor Ridge (doesn't it just sound cool?!) and was going to send it to someone. Then I second guessed myself. The receiver of the message wouldn't understand. It's one thing to get a text message from where someone's been, but another entirely to stand on a big rock with an amazing view after you've scrambled up the trail with blisters on your heels after already having walked up steep winding switchbacks for 5 miles as your calves and thighs scream for you to let up. I didn't send the text message. I figured if they cared, they'd ask.
Grab life by the horns and fling it around a little bit. Don't be content with watching shows about life and nature. Get out and experience them the way God intended them to be.
All the time I was hiking I was thinking about life, since I was by myself. I feel like my faith has grown in some ways since I got here, and I think part of it's because I've been increasingly exposed to nature. There's just something meditative and spiritual about it. Probably because God made it. Anyway, I kept thinking of this verse, and I don't remember where it is, but it's something about "narrow is the path that leads to salvation." It seemed fitting that the most winding and difficult trails on that mountain seem to have the best views. I'm not equating nature with salvation, but most people would rather drive on the freeway or sit at home watching TV than get out in the woods and hike and climb around all day. That's way less difficult, and they're missing out on some amazing aspects of life that God gave us to enjoy.
One more thing. I took a picture from Raptor Ridge (doesn't it just sound cool?!) and was going to send it to someone. Then I second guessed myself. The receiver of the message wouldn't understand. It's one thing to get a text message from where someone's been, but another entirely to stand on a big rock with an amazing view after you've scrambled up the trail with blisters on your heels after already having walked up steep winding switchbacks for 5 miles as your calves and thighs scream for you to let up. I didn't send the text message. I figured if they cared, they'd ask.
Grab life by the horns and fling it around a little bit. Don't be content with watching shows about life and nature. Get out and experience them the way God intended them to be.
2 comments:
I'm curious if the picture really is all that sweet. I mean, for someone who didn't earn it...
Your wish is my command. It was fun hiking. May you benefit from the fruits of my labor...lol.
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