A hiking devotional: Let Us Talk about Refreshment

Does it not seem there are more and more reports about violence, death, treachery, and destruction? You have violence within the borders of the U.S. and rumors of wars and treachery abroad. Seems nothing is safe and everything is dangerous. That is a lot of stress, and then you compound that type of stress to personal stress with family and work life, you get a heavy heart. Some people wonder how they will face tomorrow, and unfortunately some of us will not be here tomorrow, life is just that uncertain and car wrecks are all too common (as an example). So, that is a lot of things to be concerned about, or anxious about. Now, let us look as something refreshing.

My wife and I went for a hike to see Virgin Falls near Sparta, TN. The hike to the waterfall was over four miles, and the trail was moderate to difficult. This time, the kids were with my parents. We started off the hike excited to see nature and its beauty. This hike included three waterfalls, the last one being Virgin Falls. Under Big Laural Falls I stood and let the water fall upon me; that was refreshing. This hike was done in August, so it was hot outside. The final stop was Virgin Falls. I was quite tired by this time and knew I had over 4 miles to get to my car. Plus the trail to the falls is mostly downhill and the trail back was an uphill battle. Did I mention it was hot outside? When you approached Virgin Falls the temperate literally dropped 10-20 degrees. That too was quite refreshing, plus getting sprayed with the water from the falls. Drinking water throughout the hike was also refreshing, since I was dehydrated from the hike.

Refreshing in a hot environment that has a few objectives, but many obstacles. Sounds like life right? The waterfalls’ water, seeing the beauty of nature, and drinking water are all refreshing. Hitting rocks with your feet, tripping on the trial, going uphill when your calves are burning, that feeling of dehydration, and sweat burning your eyes, those are obstacles to be addressed on a hike. Still we go, knowing these obstacles await us, sounds like life again. Life is tough, but we press one for the refreshing parts.

Now, there are people out there that cannot see the refreshing parts from the obstacles, all they see is those obstacles: the stress of their personal life, work life, and fear of the unknown. If you have obstacle eyesight, how do I see the refreshing parts again? Lastly, ever wonder what there is after this life?

Now for the refreshing part. Jesus said in John 4:13-14: “Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’” You maybe thinking, where is this water that quenches your thirst forever? Drinking water on a long hike does feel refreshing, but this water Jesus is talking about is eternal life with him. Accepting Jesus as your Savior, you start to see and understand the refreshment of life and eternity from the obstacles. Some may think, this Jesus stuff is not for me, I got it, got it on my own, even figured out this death thing, then this blog is not for you. That is fine, no one is pushing a belief on you. If you are the one reading this and thinking maybe there is something to this, I need to know more, I need to be refreshed, then keep reading the Bible past John 4. The complete Bible is on the internet so no need to purchase anything. See how Jesus can refresh your mind and soul.