While we are doing our thru hike of the AT, we constantly see posters bearing various rules and regulations.

One of them which appears all over the place says "Leave no Trace." Of course the reasoning behind the injunction is great. It means as one travels the AT he is to bear in mind that he should carry out all trash he creates, and basically seek to leave all areas as he found them.

This is important on a number of levels.

First of all, lots of people are now out hiking in America's Nat'l Parks. If they are not committed to the principle then the AT and the parks in general would soon be full of trash. 

Secondly, but not in terms of importance, is the fragile nature of the environment. The national parks of the East Coast of America have already taken big hits in terms of losing certain species of trees, like the American Chestnut, and many other species of flora and fauna are now threatened. 

Leave no trace us an important guideline if the current generation wants to leave the forests and parks as they found them, or even in better shape, for subsequent generations to enjoy.

However, having said all that, I fear that too many professing Christians are living by this guideline when it comes to living out their faith. As a serious follower of Jesus, I

want to leave traces of His goodness and grace all over the place. As 2 Cor. 2:14-16 Tell us, we are always to be spreading "the aroma of Christ." I am to bring a witness to the scene and also leave something behind that will point people to faith in Jesus.

So please pray for me as I hike. Pray I will leave in this environment a witness to the One who made the world and every thing in it.

David and Adam