by David Burka
Once when I was walking alone in the Mt. Rogers Wilderness Area, the trail topped a small knob and started to descend. I knew from studying the map that the A/T campsite was only two miles away. As I made my way down a steep slope into a fertile cove, I sensed the sweet smell of a stream up ahead. The light was fading and the dark green hues were vivid and alive. It reminded me of Genesis 3:8 "God walked in the cool of the day." It was a surreal setting, and I felt like I was walking in the Garden of Eden...it was beautiful.
Suddenly I noticed something large coming up the trail in my direction. Wait a minute! I thought I was alone out here. My heart pounded as the adrenalin kicked in, thoughts racing a million miles a second. Then the shape before me registered: it was a black bear, about thirty feet away. What was I going to do?!? I decided the best thing was to make sure he knew I was in the area, so I yelled "Hey" in a firm voice. The bear stopped, stood on his hind legs, sniffed the air, and ran off the trail into the thick forest. Problem over? Not really! I had to keep on walking down that same trail and pass by the very place the bear had jumped into the woods. Was he still there? Was he going to attack? I had no other choice but to stay on the trail and find out; my car was 40 miles ahead and this was the only way home. I held my breath, all my senses working overtime as I walked by the embankment where my "friend" had escaped. It was all over in a few minutes; I breathed a sigh of relief as I crossed the narrow river and was safely heading for my campsite. As I recall that day, I still get goose bumps.
As summer vacation time rolls around and we go to places like Dollywood and Gatlinburg, let me challenge you to take a step or two into the wilderness. Luxuriate in the silence, get lost in the roar of a mountain stream, breathe deeply the clean air. God's creation is much more stimulating than any roller coaster ride.
King David was a man after God's own heart and he learned much about life as he worked in the wilderness as a shepherd. We can get a glimpse of his admiration for God's handiwork in Psalm 104:10-13. "He sends forth springs in the valleys; They flow between the mountains; They give drink to every beast of the field; The wild donkeys quench their thirst. Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; They lift up their voices among the branches. He waters the mountains from His upper chambers; The earth is satisfied with the fruit of His works."
Have a safe vacation, and remember that you and your family will be greatly rewarded by spending some time in God's creation. Oh, and watch out for the bears!