Featured image is a composite of 2 photos from the National Park Service, both public domain: wooded location by Alyssa Mattei and rusty boundary sign by Hot Springs National Park Archives.
Have you ever had someone tell you that you need to get out of your comfort zone? Alberta based EaseCare says, “The comfort zone is a familiar, safe space where we feel secure, where the stakes are low, and where things generally go according to plan.” There’s another ‘zone’, a parameter for you to think about: boundaries. The boundaries in our lives come in many forms. Certainly there are social boundaries – what is considered acceptable behavior. More specifically there are real limits on where you can and can’t be. Your home, a property line, a restricted area and the lanes of a roadway are just a few of the common confines. In your travels you’ll find many more. They all make sense for keeping order, providing safety and more. But, those limits groom our mind and spirit and ultimately result in limited understanding, behavior and vision. It’s one of the main reasons we travel and benefit from taking a retreat: to go beyond our usual boarders and get out of bounds. And, it’s why Christ-centered travel has the ability to go further by exploring the limitless goodness of God.
That EaseCare article identifies 6 benefits of stepping out of your comfort zone. They are:
- Boost confidence and self-esteem
- Enhance problem-solving skills
- Increase mental resilience
- Help you discover new strengths and talents
- Expand your perspective
- Decrease anxiety
These 6 benefits are also common to travel. When we travel there are real boundaries as well as mental and spiritual boundaries that can limit us. That’s why going to natural spaces can be just the place where you need to go to wander (both literally and mentally/emotionally/spiritually) in a space with comparatively limitless boundaries.
Look closer at Dry Falls on the cover of the special Waterfall Tour Edition of map – A Travel Lifestyle Magazine and you’ll see that a trail goes behind the falling water. It is one of 7 waterfalls near Highlands, North Carolina and is 1 of 25 waterfalls on the scenic North Carolina Waterfall Byway. The trail doesn’t just take you to the falls and beneath, it continues past the falls. THAT is where this conversation really begins! Don’t just get to the point of interest, the stated goal, let that waterfalls be the start of your real adventure – out of bounds.
WHY WATERFALLS?
In the United States alone you can explore all kinds of beautiful waterfalls in over 85 million acres across national parks and other designated areas managed by the National Park Service. Add to that waterfalls in state parks, city parks and many other areas and … well you get the idea – you can go exploring in areas with seemingly boundless boundaries. That’s exactly one of the best things you can do to gain spiritual renewal. When you experience the limitless goodness of God, His Spirit expands your vision, gives you peace, energizes your mind and transforms your life.
We’ve know for years that getting into ordinary natural spaces like a city park or garden as part of your travel itinerary can help reduce stress, improve attention and benefit your health.
However a January 2025 report in the Journal of Environmental Management says that, “Emerging research suggests that extraordinary nature offers distinct restorative benefits, including enhanced emotional regulation, improved cognitive focus, and heightened relaxation. For example (Joye and Bolderdijk, 2015), demonstrated that awe-inspiring landscapes provide greater attentional restoration and emotional upliftment than more familiar natural settings. Similarly (Hao et al., 2024), highlighted the superior restorative effects of extraordinary nature, attributing these outcomes to its ability to evoke profound awe and wonder.”
I think extraordinary nature including waterfalls are special places where you can more deeply experience the creative nature and love of God and practice stewardship of God’s creation.
They site volcanoes, glaciers, and starry skies as some of those extraordinary natural settings. Having seen both volcanoes and glaciers up close myself, I can tell you that indeed they are certainly incredible natural destinations that you really must work into your travel plans. But, both are in limited locations and take some intentional effort to visit. That leaves starry skies as your best chance to marvel at God’s remarkable grandeur. While nightfall happens daily, you may likely find that with all of the human generated light, even the stars can be elusive. Nevertheless, on your next trip, take some time to come away from your busy schedule, find a place in the evening where you can look up, get lost in the expanse and appreciate the beautiful life God has given you.
But since travel offers you a chance to do some things you otherwise seldom get to do, I encourage you to build into your itinerary some time to tour a waterfall. Whatever your destinations for work, service or vacation you’ll may very well find there is a waterfall closer than you realize. Why waterfalls? Well because they certainly ‘fall’ into the category of extraordinary. So, find one or two and budget time to not just go see it but explore all around it.
GO FOR ALL THE WATER – BUT GO BEYOND YOUR BOUNDARIES TO EXPLORE MORE!
I looked around on the Internet to see what others have to say about why God wants you to actively wander in nature. I’m finding a lot – but not what I’ve personally discovered on my journeys. Let me explain.
There are several conversations about “the biblical stories of God’s people wandering in the desert” due to their stubborn will. There are also plenty of conversations, perhaps almost weirdo-creepy in nature, about being alone or silent. And yes, all of us, likely quiet often, are stubborn, and can benefit from being alone and silent.
However this conversation about why God wants you to actively wander in nature on your next trip is very different. Using the 6 benefits of getting out of your comfort zone listed above, consider how they can be applied to your wonderings beyond the waterfall.
Boost confidence and self-esteem
You might have some trepidation taking those first few steps beyond the end or edge of trail. But go for it and see what is beyond. Obviously don’t put yourself at risk and be mindful to not damage the natural habitat. However, exploring further is a good way to improve your listening and orienting skills – capacities that help you to not get lost. These are skills that have a deeper spiritual connection.
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it. -Isaiah 30:21
Enhance problem-solving skills
Past the waterfalls you may have to figure out how to go down a slight slope without slipping, decide if it’s best to go under or over that log, how to cross that small stream, how to help someone walking with you and yeah – what to do when you need to persever. Getting out of bounds helps you think critically and seek wisdom from God.
If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. – James 1:5
Increase mental resilience
We all face challenges. In fact on some work trips or vacations it can sometimes seem like the challenges are never ending. It’s helpful to be able to adapt to those challenges. Going beyond the usual boundaries, you can find a quiet, fresh, different and welcome setting ideal for reflecting on how God provides for you and is near in the midst of those challenges.
I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. He told me, “My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.” Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become. –2 Corinthians 12: 7-10 paraphrased
Discover new strengths and talents
It’s certainly exhilarating when your ‘I can do this’ becomes your, ‘I did it!’ Checking the box to another destination visited, another meeting accomplished or another visit with family or friends is like getting to the waterfalls. See how far God and you can go beyond the boundaries of routine.
God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. – Ephesians 3:20
Expand your perspective
Go to the public overlook for a waterfalls like Dry Falls and you’ll stand with many people enjoying a spectacular view. Continue further, where fewer people bother to venture and you can stand behind the water falling. You’ll see, hear, feel, smell and experience so much more. Not only will you be inspired and energized you’ll gain a perspective that can guide others and build them up in Christ.
After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, ‘Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this. – Revelation 4:1
Decrease anxiety
Shhh, just chill for a while. When you’re out of bounds you can look more closely at the small and overlooked. You can hear so much more. Rest. That’s not just stopping and taking a breather, it is submitting your will and agenda to God so that He can quite your mind and spirit and speak to you.
Be still, and know that I am God. – Psalms 46:10
God will keep those in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Him. – Isaiah 26:3
HOW FAR WILL YOU GO?
Some people will always play it safe. They’ll stay in the confines of safe and secure and they may never venture any further. They’ll choose to trust in their own understanding only.
For the person who isn’t satisfied with that, there is a waterfall nearby flowing with God’s invitation to look further, explore deeper, discover more, and go find what all is between here and the distant boundaries. It’s a lot and it is filled with God’s goodness for you and those who get to share it with you.
