Daybreak in the Big Cathedral

George Walker
Avid camper and attender of Canton First Friends

"I didn't just come on this canoe trip to hang out with the guys and enjoy a week of canoeing in the backcountry. We played hard, laughed hard, ate hearty and slept each night content and tired. But that's not what drew me. It was the expectation of an encounter with the living God, out here in His big outdoor cathedral."

The slightest hint of light touched the horizon at the east end of this remote Canadian lake. Predawn - the quietest hour in a quiet wilderness. I steadied myself in the darkness leaning against an ancient pine, my lungs drank in the fragrance of its resinous sap bringing my senses back wide awake. A still small voice, the voice I was waiting for, called to me and beckoned me to come sit by the lakeshore and share a sunrise together. I didn't just come on this canoe trip to hang out with the guys and enjoy a week of canoeing in the backcountry. We played hard, laughed hard, ate hearty and slept each night content and tired. But that's not what drew me. It was the expectation of an encounter with the living God, out here in His big outdoor cathedral. I knew from experience that physical exertion coupled with the solitude would lead to an encounter with the lover of my soul.

Adventure Camp Trips

The Youth Board, in cooperation with Camp Gideon will be offering "Adventure Camps" this year. These one-week trips, in a variety of off-site locations will offer new, exciting wilderness experiences such as rock- climbing, canoeing, wilderness training, and backpacking. Special weeks for Youth Leadership Development and Father/Child canoe trips are also available.

It was four in the morning when I slipped away from our tents and stepped out from under the canopy of pine and hemlock. Before me the solid granite shoreline gently sloped down and disappeared into the water. The whole scene was still as an old photograph, not a hint of breeze, not a cricket chirp, or a single songbird breaking the silence. I sat for a long time in that stillness aware that my master sat there with me enjoying it also. A pair of loons swam down the shoreline, diving for trout in the dark water below. They popped onto the surface not ten feet away and then as quick as the snap of a camera shutter they dove from sight only to appear moments later far down the shore. Across the water some granite cliffs began reflecting the coming dawn, first gray, then yellow, then copper.

I finally broke our inner silence, placing a burden at His feet. An ongoing battle with being judgmental. An old sinful mindset that sickened my inner life. A raven broke the outer silence with his deep baritone call. I turned and caught his black silhouette as he took to the sky. With slow wingbeats he passed over me so close I could nearly touch him. I could hear his feathers rowing through the cool air - PfffhP, PfffhP, PfffhP ....

The first rays of sunlight finally began breaking through the trees. Ever so gently with a calmness and steadiness His voice then broke the inner silence.

"There is tremendous freedom in learning not to judge. Freedom from the inner turmoil that you bring against yourself when you condemn others and a unique freedom from the judgment that others may bring against you." There was nothing negative, or sarcastic, or "I told you so" in His voice. It was as though he was teaching me to swim, or ride a bike, or fly. His joy, and confidence, and expectation spilled over inside of me.

For my part I sat there just dazzled, not wanting the moment to end. Finally the camp stirred. This would be a glorious day followed by more glorious days. Yet nothing could compare to this morning in the big cathedral.