Rails to Trails

Read Time / 2 Minutes

Theme / Wise Living

I recently joined a Facebook group called “Rails to Trails.”  It has about 92,000 members who describe and post pictures of their bike rides on trails that have been converted from railroad tracks.  These railroad tracks were once used by trains in bygone-days, but now they have been repurposed for another form of transportation: riding bikes.  The trails are often paved (sometimes well-packed gravel), relatively flat (trains didn’t climb steep slopes), in beautiful countryside, and spread across America.  

 When I see pictures that riders post of different rails to trails they’ve ridden, it often invokes a sense of well-being and peace.  Some folks ride e-bikes, which makes the ride more pleasant.  But whether you use pedal power or battery power, it seems like a wise and pleasurable way to enjoy God’s creation. 

 It reminds me of a passage I came across recently (Proverbs 3:13-18) which describes the benefits of wisdom in our lives.  The one who finds wisdom is blessed, for wisdom is better than silver, gold, and jewels.  Wisdom can lead to a long life, full of honor.   And… the ways of wisdom are the “ways of pleasantness.”    As soon as I read that last verse, photos of rails to trails came to mind: pictures of enjoyable riding through beautiful scenery. 

 Scripture teaches that God is the source of true wisdom for life.  By listening to God and following His guidance, we can experience “pleasantness” in our lives.  That doesn’t mean we won’t encounter rain, detours, or flat tires in our ride through life, but when we do, we know that God will give us wisdom to continue our ride.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge him, and He will make straight your paths.

(Proverbs 3:5-6)

Have a pleasant ride!

Doug Hanson, MBA

Wealth Advisor

208.697.3699

doug@christianwm.com