The journey to discovering true marital harmony took an unexpected path through adventure activities for married couples on mountain trails and in forest sanctuaries. For 27 years, our marriage weathered the storms of selfishness until a profound spiritual awakening brought us to our knees. Then, we made the transformative decision to center our lives around Jesus Christ, a choice that would reshape every aspect of our relationship for the next 15 years.
The Search for Sacred Rest
Throughout our spiritual journey, I was drawn to the wisdom of mentors who spoke passionately about their Sabbath practices. Their testimonies of deep spiritual connection through intentional rest resonated deeply, yet our path to discovering our unique form of Sabbath remained elusive until 2024.
A Divine Appointment with Nature
The turning point came when we committed to an ambitious goal: hiking the Enchantments in Leavenworth, Washington, with Atlas Free. This wasn’t just any hiking challenge – it was a grueling 20-mile journey with significant elevation changes, requiring completion within a single day. At our age, both in our 60s, this endeavor demanded serious preparation, including carrying 20-pound packs through challenging terrain for approximately 17 hours.
The Training Ground of Transformation
Our preparation became the foundation of an unexpected spiritual practice. We embarked on 17 training hikes, each one becoming more than just physical conditioning. During these expeditions, which ranged from 4 to 13 hours, we consciously decided to disconnect from the digital world by switching our phones to airplane mode. This simple act of technological sabbath opened doors to deeper connection – with each other and our Creator.
Finding God in the Wilderness Through Adventure Activities for Married Couples
As we traversed trails and conquered peaks, something remarkable began to unfold. The silence of nature became our sanctuary, and the rhythm of our footsteps merged with the cadence of our prayers. We found ourselves naturally lifting up petitions for our marriage, our family, and countless others who came to mind. The magnificent creation surrounding us inspired spontaneous praise, turning our hikes into moving worship services.
Physical and Spiritual Restoration
As someone who had always pushed hard through life, rarely allowing myself adequate rest, the impact of these hiking sabbaths extended far beyond the trails. The physical exertion, rather than depleting us, led to improved sleep patterns that lasted throughout the week. This enhanced rest wasn’t just physical – it represented a deeper spiritual and emotional restoration that we had never experienced before.
Marriage in Motion
The transformation in our relationship was profound. Each hike strengthened our bond, and we found ourselves reluctant to break the sacred space we had created by returning to our connected world. Our conversations deepened, our prayer life expanded, and our appreciation for God’s creation heightened our awareness of His presence in our daily lives.
A New Understanding of Rest
What began as training for a challenging hike evolved into our unique expression of Sabbath rest. Counter-intuitive as it might seem, these physically demanding excursions became our pathway to true rest – not just in the physical sense, but in the deep, soul-nourishing way that only comes from authentic connection with God and each other.
The Ripple Effect
The benefits of our hiking sabbaths extended far beyond the trails. Our marriage grew healthier, our spiritual lives deeper, and our physical well-being improved dramatically. We discovered that rest isn’t always about inactivity – sometimes it’s found in the rhythmic motion of walking together, in the shared challenge of climbing mountains, and in the quiet moments of awe before God’s creation.
A Testament to God’s Creativity
Our story stands as a testament to how God can use unexpected means to draw us closer to Him and to each other. What started as physical training became spiritual transformation, proving that Sabbath rest can take many forms. For us, it wasn’t found in quiet rooms or traditional settings, but on mountain trails where every step brought us closer to each other and to our Creator.This journey taught us that marriage, like faith, isn’t static – it’s a dynamic adventure that requires intentional investment and sometimes unconventional approaches. By stepping out of our comfort zones and into nature’s cathedral, we found not just the physical strength to conquer mountains, but the spiritual foundation to build a stronger marriage centered on Christ.Our weekly hiking sabbaths continue to be our sacred time – a physical reminder that sometimes the path to deeper spiritual connection requires us to literally walk it out together. In finding our unique way to practice Sabbath, we discovered that rest isn’t just about what we cease doing – it’s about creating space for God to work in ways we never expected.
Questions for transformation:
Do you as a couple spend anytime shut off from the world completely and invite the Lord into that time with you? How could you as a couple start this, make it a habit and part of your weekly life?
Pray:
Lord, help us to find a sabbath time with you that can be intentional each week so we can rest in you.