Take a Moment to Enjoy the View

Oh, the rush of life. There are times when obligations and circumstances crowd our lives. There are times when work gets out of hand or our around the house tasklist builds up. There are even times when that rush is “by choice” or “by your own doing” and maybe you have come to truly enjoy the things that are consuming your days. However, if you were to take a step back, I think you may agree that the rush of life is still present indeed. I know it is for me. 

Towards the end of nearly every nursing assignment, I become a bit saddened to leave behind what has been built over the past three plus months; the friendships, the hospital, the geographical location, and overall, the comfort that I have found in another home away from home. Over one of our daily phone calls, I end up reporting that I’m going to be a little bummed in leaving wherever I am, to which my mom almost always replies, “You’re funny” with a little chuckle, “you always say you don’t want to get too entangled somewhere, and then you do. Every time.” Why do I tell you this? Because she’s exactly right! 

I arrive on a new assignment with four days to spare a week; no thing, person, or obligation (other than work) competing for my free time. Three months later, and it’s almost become a guarantee that this whole “rush of life” thing has set in. I will say that many of the things that end up consuming my days are things that I enjoy, most of which is being in conversation with new friends, but nonetheless, my once empty days form a rather consistent schedule. Is this a bad thing? Absolutely not! And I wouldn’t trade it for anything, even to avoid that sadness that comes in the end. But, I have recognized the importance of being intentional in stepping back from the rush, disconnecting, refocusing, and reorienting. 

What better place to do this than in the midst of nature; God’s beautiful creation. Getting outside has always been a time for me to step away, breathe in the fresh air, and reflect on the things going on around me. In fact, even after a twelve hour shift at the hospital, it’s not uncommon for me to go home and run, not so much for the exercise, but for the mental release. For me, whether it’s running, walking, hiking, or biking, my time spent in these ways is often time spent with the Lord. It’s time to talk through my mind, reflect on my heart, review what God has been showing me, and to listen in the silence.  

Throughout my time in Carson City, I recognized that backpacking through the wilderness was perhaps the most effective way for me to take this step back. Okay, so maybe the disconnecting part doesn’t take much intentionality when you lose phone service, but it is a great set-up for the refocusing and reorienting parts! 

In the beginning of the summer, I coincidentally completed two consecutive sections of the Tahoe Rim Trail with two different friends over a few days. To be honest, I hadn’t even known of the Tahoe Rim Trail until around that same time, but with two sections under my belt, I figured I might as well set my eyes on an attempt to finish the trail throughout the summer. As one man I had met on one of the first sections would say, “I finished the lap”.  Although the accomplishment of completing my first thru-hike trail from beginning to end felt nice, the best part of my experience came through the individual sections. As I would take my first steps back out on a new trek, I was immediately overcome with this sense of freedom. There is something about wandering through the woods with everything you need on your back, taking in the biggest breaths of fresh air and hearing only the sounds of nature and the occasional passerby. Then there is simply something inexplicable about watching the sunset over dinner, falling asleep beneath a sky of stars, and observing God’s colorful artwork while enjoying a hot cup of coffee in the morning. This is called disconnection. 

More often than not, this disconnection easily flows into a time of refocusing. Away from the rush of life, I’m able to take time to reflect on that which is behind me, as well as the things to come. Although you’re supposed to worry about the weight of your pack when it comes to backpacking, one thing I never leave behind is my ESV travel Bible. Each morning, as I sip on my coffee, I take some time to read scripture and each night, as I lay down to sleep (usually around eight at night), I do the same. I typically take some time away from whatever I’m reading in my quiet time at home, and I ask God to lead me to a different place in the Word. Each trip, I can honestly say that I was led to exactly what I needed to read – whether it pertained to what I was learning, asking, or praying – it was always applicable. As I set out for the very last overnight of the trail, I began to ask God to show me what I needed to hear. Colossians immediately came to mind. I continued to talk to the Lord about all of these things that were running through my mind – my assignment was almost over and I had no idea what would be next in my life, COVID was starting to spike in our hospital, my friends in Costa Rica were experiencing the devastating effects of the pandemic and governmental issues, voting day here in America was quickly drawing near… so on and so forth. That night, I laid down to open up that little travel Bible to the book of Colossians. 

If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.   Colossians 3:1-4

Set your minds on things that are above. Reorient. This world is crazy. It is filled with distractions. The rush of life clutters our minds. But we are instructed to set our minds on the things above. As I read these words that night, I closed my Bible, turned off my light, and rolled over to look up at the stars. That was exactly what I needed to read. My lungs filled with the crisp October night air and as my eyes adjusted, the stars multiplied. Set your mind on the things above replayed in my head, as my smile grew and that wonderful sense of peace filled my heart and mind. 

After a restful night of sleep, I reread these verses over my morning coffee and then set out on my last trek of the Tahoe Rim Trail. Much to my surprise, at the end of the trail, I was met with a congratulatory hug from a friend, a handmade sign, and the most encouraging video message from a mere stranger. At what I claim to be the perfect “ending spot”, I was able to sit and enjoy the view overlooking the whole lake, which I had officially walked all the way around. I can’t help but think how much greater the end of this grand journey of life will be. I will be met with a great embrace and receive so much more than I deserve. I hope to meet many more strangers and cannot even begin to fathom the view. 

With that, I want to encourage you also, to take that step back, disconnect from the world, refocus on the Lord, and reorient to the true priority. 

Oh, and while you’re at it, take a moment to enjoy the view.