Take a Hike!
Have you ever been told to “Take a Hike”? This phrase became popular in the 70s alongside expressions like “get out of here” and “hit the road, Jack.” It was used to encourage someone to move on.
In 1976, The Hiking Society decided to leverage this movement and introduced an annual “Take a Hike Day.” This event encourages people to step into the great outdoors. For people of faith, stepping out into nature is an essential part of the faith pilgrimage.
Taking a hike allows us to escape the noise and distractions of daily life and immerse ourselves in the splendor of the natural world. It's an opportunity to meditate on God’s goodness and be reminded of the Spirit’s presence. As we pause to appreciate the beauty around us, our hearts are drawn closer to God.
On Sunday, we will take time to highlight the power of connecting with God in nature and give everyone a chance to “Take a Hike.”
Devotional Moment
Nothing that is worth doing can be achieved in our lifetime;
therefore we must be saved by hope.
Nothing which is true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history;
therefore we must be saved by faith.
Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone;
therefore we are saved by love.
No virtuous act is quite as virtuous from the standpoint of our friend or foe as it is from our standpoint;
therefore we must be saved by the final form of love which is forgiveness.
—Reinhold Niebuhr, The Irony of American History
