Sunday Morning Hikes: Reflections on Faith and Nature

The Trail Before Church

There's something sacred about a Sunday morning hike. While most of Cape Town is still waking up, We are already on the trail—boots laced, pack light, heart quiet. It's become our rhythm: meet God on the mountain before meeting with His people in the pews.

This morning, as we were climbing Harold Porter as the sun broke over Betties Bay. The city below was wrapped in silence, and up here, it was just us, the fynbos, and the One who made it all. No distractions. No agenda. Just presence.

I've learned that some of my deepest conversations with God happen not in a prayer closet, but on a hiking path. There's something about the physical exertion—the steady rhythm of footsteps, the burn in your legs, the focus required to navigate rocky terrain—that quiets the noise in my head and opens my heart.

The trail doesn't let you fake it. If you're unprepared, you'll know. If you try to rush, you'll stumble. If you ignore the warning signs, you'll pay for it. And isn't that just like the spiritual life? God invites us on a journey that requires preparation, humility, and attentiveness. The lessons are there if we're willing to learn them.

This blog is my attempt to share what I'm learning—both on the trails and in the quiet moments with God. Some weeks, I'll write about a specific hike. Other times, I'll share a spiritual insight that came while navigating a rocky descent or pausing at a summit. Either way, my prayer is that these reflections encourage you in your own journey—whether you're a hiker, a person of faith, or both.

So lace up your boots (or don't—you can read from your couch). Let's explore together.

See you on the trail,
Neil