A Walking Trail, An IPod and a Good Pair of Sneakers

Scripture Thought for the Week: You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Isaiah 55:12
Usually the best way to take a daily four mile walk is with a buddy. Chatting about current events negates the emphasis that one is exercising. However, continual chatter leaves little room for appreciating the consumption of fresh air and noticing the beautifully landscaped handiwork of God. In order to better appreciate Gods creation, I often grab my sneakers with or without my IPod and head out to the trail to spend a little time in renewal. Without one with which to chat my hope is to experience a spiritual lesson inspired by the Holy Spirit. On my latest trail walk I seized my IPod in order to listen to various musical genres that I enjoy. Consequently I concentrate on the lyrics being sung. Come along for a little overview of what I heard and learned! Casting Crowns, my all time favorite Christian group, has a song entitled, Spirit Wind. It speaks of Ezekiels adventure with dead, dry bones rising up and becoming a mighty army. The Lord sends His wind into the valley where the dry bones lay and through the power of the Holy Spirit a lifeless army takes form and becomes a force with which to be reckoned! I thought, Lord, please breathe that same wind into my soul so that I might accomplish

mighty acts of faith for your glory! Dust off these dry bones which so easily become discouraged so that I can become part of an army of believers with which to be reckoned!
Then a song from the same group entitled, The Well began. This tune invites individuals to the well of eternal living water leaving all the things of the world behind; the discouragements, the disappointments and the emptiness of the failed promises. Instead, the lyrics suggested that we can search and thirst no more and by simply coming to the well freely provided by the Savior, Jesus Christ. Then I have to admit with the option of shuffle on my IPod, the music changed from Christian tunes to Country music. It was here that Rodney Adkins sang his song, Take a Back Road. Now, Im originally from Virginia. A small rural area where we enjoy country music, back roads, motorcycles and race cars. This song flooded the memory bank with those times as a younger person when I would jump on the back of my boyfriends motorcycle and head out on a hot summer day with hair flying (before helmets) to enjoy the cooler temps as we rode along back roads. Rodneys song tells of an event that

sparked his memory to remember days gone by when he, too, rode on back roads. It was a nice trip down memory lane using back roads as the experiences of yesteryear. Little Big Town, another Country group, arrived with song Lean Into It. This group shared that storms of life will occur surrounded by winds of pain and discouragement to destroy our spirit. However when our natural inclination is to push against those circumstances, wouldnt it be to our advantage to lean or deal with the situation and not stand against it alone? None of us desire to stand firmly and absolutely alone against a 60 foot wave headed in our direction. But if we see the wave coming or have been told of the impending danger, wouldnt it be a better idea to seek shelter? Wouldnt we almost call this leaning into the wave? Of course, Mercy Mes Word of God Speak began to play and I was immediately reminded why I chose this song to be a theme for this ministry. How I desire Gods Word to pour over me with anointing power so Gods presence will be felt before me, around me, behind me and above me. These lyrics instruct silence so that God can be heard. For it is only when we are quiet in Gods presence will His peace radiate. It is then we will plead to stay and rest in His holiness. As I neared the exit for the trail, Trains Calling All Angels began to play. Im always reminded of a couple of individuals who died too early in this life and, being a human with a finite mind, this tune causes me to reflect on how much I miss them. I need a sign, to let me know youre here, just seems to be a needed message for them to hear. Wouldnt we all like to know our loved ones are still able to hear us, watch us and still participate in our joys and celebrations? If we could only realize they are enjoying total fulfillment that one can only experience when the threshold of glory has been crossed! Thus ends another time on the trail with my music, my thoughts and the presence of the Holy Spirit to keep me company and assisting me with the enjoyment of breathing in fresh air, renewing my mind and realizing that others words through song lifts the heart and makes it sing!

Thank you, Father God, for equipping men and women with the gift of words and music. Songs give us such joy to lift us when we are feeling discouraged and allow us to be filled with strength to better live and praise the Creator of heaven and earth! Thank you for allowing us to live in this day and may we use our time wisely to bring others to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. In whose name, I pray, AMEN!