I used to have journals, many many journals. From the time I received my first diary in the 8th grade I began writing and noting my feelings, events and how it made me feel. About the time my son was five I pulled out some of my old journals/diaries and thumbed through them. I came to the conclusion, those were not the words I wanted to leave behind to describe me. To leave behind for my children to read and wonder WHAT WAS SHE THINKING. So, I destroyed them. There are days I have a whim of regret for that, because after all it was me, but mostly I'm glad I did. I want to leave my life message behind, not words on a paper or a blog. I want my life to speak so loudly that I need not write anything and my children know and understand me. I believe I am. I share with them in words, and in gestures and in sharing the journey. Oh yes, back to that...the journey...sorry!
As I watched the movie, of course the eastern Oregon girl in me was in love with the scenery. The outdoorsy girl in me appreciated the seasons, the terrain, and the challenges. The girl who loves Jesus appreciated the silence and peace. I could see myself taking up a back pack and leaving my world to get back to a place where I want to be [there is not a chance I would get a wink of sleep if I trekked the PCT alone because I'm a big fat fraidy cat- it would need to be a sun up to sunset journey for me]. As a matter of fact, I feel like I do this, almost daily ~ when I lace up my shoes to run.
It is my escape from the realm of reality into a place that is peaceful and quiet, where I am alone with Jesus and the views surrounding me fill me. It is a time where I get out of my own way, and removed everything else which is in the way to find my way back to Him, to peace, to a place where I am whole. At the end of the run when I return home I am filled with Jesus, my lungs are full of fresh air, my heart is filled with gratitude and anything that was in the way, has been replaced by accomplishment, endurance and self appreciation. There is nothing which can take from me all that fills me when I am out there one foot in front of the other with Jesus directing my way.
Sometimes we need to not complicate things like we do. It doesn't take climbing the PCT to find your peace or place.... it simply takes GETTING OUT OF YOUR OWN WAY and allowing the process to unfold. This may be something different for you than a hike or run. Maybe it's getting in the car and driving solo. Maybe it's sitting beside a river or soaking in a hot tub - whatever it is, make time for you. Make time to find the quietness in a day, seek Him and allow your journey to open before you with an understanding, sometimes we must pause and realize it isn't about the movement, it's the process in the journey.
My favorite quote of the entire movie was this; "The sun rises and the sun sets every single day. The only thing that gets in its way is you" .... oh my! How true is that!
"But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer" Luke 5:16