How can I rejoice in trails?

The Bible gives us many reasons to rejoice, even when times are hard. Even so, there are some things we should not see as reason to rejoice. This category includes trails. The Bible is very clear that activities like cross-country, jogging, hiking, and such are sin. This is made clear in Proverbs 28:1: “The wicked flee when no one pursues.”

Paul, of course, uses an analogy for running in 1 Corinthians chapter 9, using the Greek root word trechō. That’s a reference to athletics like sprints and such—not trails. When you run on a track, someone is chasing you, more or less. When you’re on a “trail,” and you’re running, it better be because something with four legs or a hatchet is after you.

This means all non-mandatory haste outside a controlled track is morally wrong. It should not be enjoyed.

So, a believer cannot legitimately rejoice in trails. To be honest, nobody can. People don’t jog or hike because they want to. They do it because someone tells them they have to, or because they have nothing better to do. Those who say otherwise are skinny liars.

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