Mindlessness, Mindfulness, and Worship

When I was in junior high, our family lived just a few hours from Yosemite National Park. My dad and I did a lot of backcountry hiking. Dad found all the information about our hikes in paperback guides.  

The radio played for the entire drive to the trailhead (or until we lost reception).  When Dad finally parked at our trailhead and turned off the car, the last song I heard would become my mind’s rumination for most of the entire hike.  

As we donned our packs and plodded through sunny meadows, we passed giddily trickling creeks of pure, melted snow.  We left the sparse pines behind as we trekked above timberline.  The circling birds overhead, the lightning-fast lizards on sun-soaked rocks… they became almost monotonous to me.  All the while, those song lyrics would be kneaded by my mind like bread dough, until they made no sense at all.  

“I can’t smile without you,

I can’t smile without you,

I can’t laugh, I can’t sing,

I’m finding it hard to do anything…”

My understanding of the natural world was largely gained through the pages of state-mandated textbooks:  the lifecycle of a monarch butterfly, the properties of water, the revolutions of the planets... as if all these marvels were just a series of random coincidences. Though I was blessed with many caring teachers, we pupils were normally taught just what was needed to pass tests.  

Of course, being in the wilderness was obviously different from flipping through a textbook. The cloud-sprinkled sky, the nearby peaks, the deafening silence when we turned off our little camp stove... it was such an immersive experience. And I didn't mention the night sky. But somehow there was a disconnect. My mind settled for far less.

And so, as I obliviously trod in the region of one of the largest batholithic complexes in North America, my thoughts were limited to the methodical repetition of...  

“You see, I feel sad when you’re sad

I feel glad when you’re glad…”

Dad loved taking me on these hikes.  He thoughtfully planned our stops at beautiful vistas, occasionally pointing out a peak here or there.  We camped near clear, rock-paved rivers fed by snowmelt.  I have pictures of myself in front of alpine lakes and granite boulders.  

I was smiling on the outside, but on the inside, I was mindlessly absorbed in lyrics so banal, they ought to have been banned.

“If you only knew

What I’m goin’ through

I just can’t smile

Without yooooooooou!”

Nothing new under the sun

Mindlessness is not limited to the 70's. Walking obliviously through God's marvelous creation is not a thing limited to junior high students.

And even those who will not ascribe glory to God for his creation have assigned importance and recognized benefits of paying attention while out in nature.

One article described the problem of distractions while hiking, and suggested the solution was mindfulness. Mindfulness was described as setting aside distractions and cares, and just being attentive to the outdoors:   seeing birds, touching rocks, smelling moss… just taking it all in. References supporting physiological benefits to doing such things were discussed.  Practical tips for avoiding distraction were listed.  The experience of just being outside, away from distractions, was said to be therapeutic. 

The same thing, only different

As believers, we recognize the importance of attentiveness to others and to our surroundings. And we recognize that getting out into nature is a wonderful way to unwind.  Setting aside devices, mindless ruminations, or vain, unedifying thoughts, is absolutely wise-- any moment of the day.

But is there something more?

As with many things in life, believers do the same thing as everyone else, just sometimes for different reasons.   

So, when it comes to taking in creation, being "all there", there is more that God intends for us. Man is made to worship... and will worship.

For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie,

and worshiped and served the creature

rather than the Creator,

who is blessed forever. Amen.

Romans 1:25

As we get out in nature— and that goes for our backyard or patio as much as at Grand Canyon— we are able to perceive and marvel at the handiwork of our eternally wise Creator God.  

For any of us, to take in all the wonder of a sunrise, the power of ocean waves, the mysteries of a rainbow, the cry of a newborn, and to fail to give glory to our Creator, is not just to miss out, but it actually leads to our own deception.

“…they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful;

but became vain in their imaginations,

and their foolish heart was darkened.  

Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools…”.  

Romans 1:21,22

When the rubber meets the road

One facet of deception is failing to recognize that our God, as Creator, demonstrates his power and wisdom in all he has made.

“For the invisible things of him

from the creation of the world are clearly seen,

being understood by the things that are made,

even his eternal power and Godhead…”.

Romans 1:20

This is something to which believers undergoing great trials have returned, finding much comfort and hope.  It just makes sense. We marvel at God's awesome works, and we are reminded: God is in control!

When persecution came to the early church, it is instructive how the believers began their prayer.

...they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said,

“O Master,

it is You who MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH

AND THE SEA, AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM,

And Jeremiah, the so-called weeping prophet, likewise gained perspective:

‘Ah Lord Yahweh! Behold,

You have made the heavens and the earth

by Your great power

and by Your outstretched arm!

Nothing is too difficult for You,

Jeremiah 32:17

Though we can have this hope in a prison cell or in the belly of a great fish, it is true that being outdoors-- seeing birds, touching rocks, smelling moss-- can be a reminder that our Creator, who became our Savior, has all power in heaven and earth, knows our frame, and is working all things together for our good and his glory.

So when we are hiking, or wherever we are, may we remember not to be mindless, nor merely mindful, but to worship!

You will make known to me the path of life;

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

Psalm 16:11

He leads me besides quiet waters.

He restores my soul;

He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I fear no evil, for you are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

from Psalm 23

Before you hit the trail...

Here you can read some profitable ruminations from the bottom of Grand Canyon.  

And when you are done, look out your window, or listen to the voices of children.  His wonders are everywhere, and we were created to glorify and praise him!