Inhale. Exhale. With every step, leaves crunch and twigs snap beneath my feet. Ascending, the air gets thinner, and my lungs fight for breath.

Although I am tired, and my legs feel like rubber, the incredible views around me make it all worth it. There is nothing like the fresh, clean air when I reach the top. The feeling of victory and peace runs through my body as I gaze at the canyon below me.

Hiking in God’s nature is the one activity that truly makes me feel alive.

This past summer, my family and I went on a trip to Utah to hike its five national parks. Beforehand, I enjoyed hiking, but I didn’t appreciate it the way I did on this trip—feeling connected to nature and God. Getting away from the stress, chaos, and wifi for a while changed my perspective on the outdoors and on God’s love for me.

As I saw canyons, rivers, mountains, and hoodoos (really cool rock formations), I realized how much God loves us. He created a lush, green earth for us to live in and gave us a desire to explore it.

Isaiah 55:12-13 says, “So you’ll go out in joy, you’ll be led into a whole and complete life. The mountains and hills will lead the parade, bursting with song. All the trees of the forest will join the procession, exuberant with applause. No more thistles, but giant sequoias, no more thornbushes, but stately pines—Monuments to me, to God, living and lasting evidence of God” (MSG)

Take a hike. You may find God in the trees and on the trail.