He Lets Us

 

The following is the Scripture and Vision Statement I gave out to all of my 2026 SoulSteps Hiking Group members this past weekend. I love and am thankful that I get to lead this group.  I love that God lets us have His creation to enjoy and be refreshed in and I wanted to share this with my blogging community because I know some of you also feel closest to God when out in His creation......the spiritual temperament of "Naturalist". Or some of you just like the mountains, fresh water lakes and streams, and/or woods.  Here is the statement for all of the hiking members: 

I truly never expected this hiking group, SoulSteps to become more than 50 people (including children).  What in the world is God doing?? When Ping first encouraged me to start a hiking group, I truly had no idea that  this would be more than just a “few women taking a walk in the woods” But here we are, 2 full years of this group completed and we are beginning our third year.  I’ve meant so many awesome Christians from leading this group. If you’re a part of this group, thank you! Thank you for joining me on this journey. 

This year I wanted to have some kind of “vision” statement with a Scripture. God’s word has a lot of great Scriptures about mountains and his creation but He led me to use this one: 

“He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters”. 

~Psalm 23:2 NIV~

But I prefer the NLT version

 

“He lets me lie down in green meadows,  He leads me beside peaceful streams” 

He (God!) gives us rest. “Green pastures” typically symbolize nourishment (like for sheep…we’re the sheep in this case!) and abundance. Peaceful streams signify safety (think kayaking on still lakes vs rushing rapids!) and rest and a refreshing. Our Shepherd is also a Creator.  Oh how those of us who love to hike up a mountain get enthralled when we look out from that summit over what He has created…..how we marvel! But we also have to rest after that climb, don’t we? And if the hike includes the peaceful waters of a lake or stream, how much more blessed are we to linger there. Nature…God’s creation…is restorative to not only our bodies, but to our minds and souls. With all of the angst going on in our nation….and the world….we need quiet times to nourish our minds and souls. There is a reason that God commanded us to have a day of rest.  A day to just be with Him, thinking about Him, talking with Him. It’s restorative. 

Stepping out in God’s creation can remind us of His glory but it also recharges us and can calm us.   Let the Good Shepherd guide you in all that you do and marvel at what He has created for us to enjoy. 

The goals of this hiking group are simple.  It’s meant to be an activity group that restores our bodies with movement; to restore our minds with good conversation and fellowship with other Believers, and bring peace  to our souls during a busy week or month. 

I’m looking forward to finding some green pastures and still waters with you this year. 

Peace,

ps If you would like more information on how to join SoulSteps Hiking group and are located in the Capital Region of NYS just reach out to me or leave a comment!