Sandi, Monica and I took some time this past week for a retreat to the Smokey Mountains. We were looking for a quiet place to renew and keep “well” in the various aspects of the Wholeness Wheel that has been a significant teaching tool for our Lenten journey. It has been a time for prayer and reading, for physical exercise and enjoying God’s creation, for time together as family. We stayed on a mountain with a lovely couple that met in China and built a self-sustaining farm that includes 4 dogs, 2 cats, 16 goats, 11 chickens and a rooster (which supplied us with fresh eggs for breakfast), 2 geese, a horse, pony and donkey. Our mountain cabin did pick up some cell service, but within a couple of miles we were unplugged from our high tech world.

Monica enjoyed hours of horseback riding while Sandi and I hiked the mountains. We spent several hours on the Appalachian Trail as day-hikers. Our hikes were dwarfed by our encounters with real hard core folks: thru-hikers. These men and women spend an entire season on the 2181 miles of the trail from Georgia to Maine, but several of them were most gracious to befriend along the way.

If you’ve followed the articles and studies of this year’s Lenten season, I compared the experience to taking a road trip. This final week of the season my experience, unplugged and hiking in the mountains takes into Holy Week.

The Crowds

“The great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, ‘Hosanna…!’” (John 12:12-13)

As Christians celebrate Palm Sunday with Palm Branches and crowds gathered in churches around the world the journey isn’t for the faint of heart. The first Palm Sunday was a moment of spontaneous joy, but the same crowds who cried, “blessed is he” will soon turn away and yell, “crucify him.” We may look upon them with distain and imagine that we could never turn away and betray him, but this road into Holy Week asks us all to consider: Are we with the crowds or with Jesus?

The Narrow Road

“Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:14)

Our hike along the Appalachian trail reminded me of this verse. I was there for a day-hike, but that’s a far cry from the commitment of the thru-hikers who take the journey. Jesus calls us to walk that narrow road that is with him. It’s not a holiday trip or visit to a religious festival; this is the journey of life with him. It is the road to true healing and eternal life. While grace is abundant, Jesus’ words confirm the sad reality, “few find it.” The journey of Holy Week asks us to consider, “are we merely day-hikers in this journey of faith or are we thru-hikers who are willing to take the narrow road for the long haul?”

Rapid Weather Changes

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.” (1 Peter 4:12)

While on a 5 hour hike, we enjoyed a beautiful day on the trail, but during the last ¼ mile we noticed the temperature change and fog rolling in. By the time we reached our car, the area was encased in a cloud. Within minutes, hail and violent rains fell from the sky. We had read about such rapid weather changes, but we really were unprepared for their reality. The journey of Lent and Holy Week should help us go beyond head-knowledge to faith disciplines that prepare us for those times when the storms roll in without warning. The disciplines of Lent help us to prepare for changes in the weather. When you’re hiking in the mountains, it’s foolish to do so unprepared and likewise foolish to hike alone. The same is true of those who follow Jesus. We need to be prepared in the word and surrounded by the support of a church family. How well are you prepared for the storms that will inevitably strike?

The View

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” (Philippians 2:9-10)

Our day-hikes gave us a taste of less than 1% of the great Appalachian Trail, yet the experience and the view has us yearning for more. This Lenten and Holy Week journey is a small sample of the riches to explore for those who live as disciples and follow Jesus who has been exalted to the highest place. This journey will take us to a beautiful view in the Easter celebration. How will that view stay fresh and alive in each of us as we live to bow before Jesus?

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