Reflecting on Hebrews: Finding a Quiet Place in a Loud World

 

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So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.  ~ Hebrews 4:16 (NLT)

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Life is stressful. The weight of it all can be crushing, and sometimes we just need a moment to step out from under the pressure. For me, that escape is a walk on the trails around my hometown. I've walked these paths in all kinds of emotional states—anxious, depressed, and sometimes so joyful I could almost skip. In these moments, when life's chaos threatens to overwhelm, I take a step back and just be alone. Finding these peaceful moments in the wild is how I embrace my surroundings and connect with God. It's the biggest source of calm for my mind.

As a writer, these walks are essential for me. When I hit a wall with a story or need to work through a tough life situation, I know the trail is where I'll find clarity. Out there, I can focus my attention on seeking God's direction, taking my concerns to Him fully. Our minds can be a battlefield of distracting thoughts. These moments of silence and worship on the trail show me that I can overcome those struggles.

My mind is always running in a million directions, so finding a quiet place to step away from the world gives me the freedom to relax. I can let my mind wander, and while it doesn't always go where I want it to—sometimes those anxious or depressing thoughts creep in—I always gain perspective. Finding quiet places in our lives is a great way to break through the mental blocks that keep us stuck. For writers, it's the perfect way to figure out a plot line or what a character will do next. Is your character going to have this experience or that one? Finding your own quiet place can help you sort it all out.

One of the most powerful things that comes to mind during my walks is how scripture can intertwine with my stories. When I wrote my book, The Hope of Inheritance, I devoted the entire novel to the concept of outlining the book of Hebrews in a story. To do this, I read the book of Hebrews over and over and over again. Many times on my walks, I'd have a passage from Hebrews come to mind that helped me develop the story and my characters. While scripture doesn't have to be the motivating factor behind how you write, I always try to make it the foundation of my stories.

I want readers to see God's place in my stories and how learning from both scripture and life experience can be woven into the pages I create. For The Hope of Inheritance, the foundation of Hebrews was the defining factor in how the story came to life. The story follows four men who share their experiences with a scribe named Nathaniel to create a single narrative. As they live their lives, they begin to work through the concepts presented in the book of Hebrews. I used the characters to explore what it means to have a true high priest and to develop plotlines based on their individual walks with Christ.

Ultimately, my time on the trail is more than just a walk; it’s a form of active meditation and worship. It’s where I find the peace to quiet my mind, to hear God’s voice, and to allow my creativity to flow. Whether you’re a writer, an artist, or simply someone struggling with the everyday stresses of life, I encourage you to find your own quiet place. It could be a local trail, a peaceful park bench, or even just a few moments of silence in a busy room. Whatever it is, embrace that peace. Allow it to be your foundation, your source of inspiration, and the anchor that holds you steady when the storms of life begin to rage.

See you in the pages, 

M. J. E.