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Remember Your Creator Before You Bite the Dust 

Over the past three years, I have found myself walking through a season I was not fully prepared for—a season marked by the slow grief of aging, the nearness of death, and the painful responsibility of caring for those I deeply love. As I have served my parents and dear relatives in their later years, I have watched strength fade, memories weaken, bodies grow tired, and life begin its quiet return toward the dust. These experiences have not only brought sorrow, but also deep reflection. They have caused me to wrestle honestly with the meaning of old age, the brevity of life, and the hope we are called to hold onto when death draws near.

Because of this, I wanted to turn to Scripture and ask what God says about these difficult but unavoidable realities. The book of Ecclesiastes, especially Ecclesiastes 12:1–7, speaks with a sobering honesty about aging and death. It does not avoid the pain of human frailty, nor does it pretend that life lasts forever. Instead, it calls us to remember our Creator before the difficult days come. This paper that I have submitted for my Masters program at Yellowstone Theological is my attempt to reflect on Ecclesiastes through the lens of my own lived experience, allowing the wisdom of Scripture to speak into the grief, questions, and holy wrestling that come when we stand near the edge of life and eternity.

I hope this helps others who may be wrestling through some of the same questions.

YELLOWSTONE THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE 

Exegetical Paper 

 Ecclesiastes 12:1-7 

A PAPER PRESENTED TO 

DR. BRETT DESPER 

BY  

Steve Lummer 

MAY 2026 
 

                         Remember Your Creator Before You Bite the Dust 

                    An Exegetical Paper on Ecclesiastes 12:1–7 

                “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come 

 and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them”— 

2 before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds return after  

the rain; 3 when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men stoop, when the grinders  

cease because they are few, and those looking through the windows grow dim; 

4 when the doors to the street are closed and the sound of grinding fades; when people rise up at  

the sound of birds, but all their songs grow faint; 5 when people are afraid of heights and of  

dangers in the streets; when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags itself along and 

desire no longer is stirred. Then people go to their eternal home, and mourners go about the  

streets. 6 Remember him—before the silver cord is severed, and the golden bowl is broken;  

before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, and the wheel broken at the well, 

7 and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.”  

1Ecclesiastes 12:1-7 (NIV) the Holy Bible 

                        Ecclesiastes 12:1–7 is not merely a poem about growing old; it is a sacred 

summons to remember the Creator before life’s strength fades. The passage teaches that wisdom 

is not found in denying death but in living faithfully before God while breath, strength, and 

 opportunity remains. 

This section of Ecclesiastes is one of the most poetic and practical passages in the Old  

Testament. It reads like an old trail guide standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon, pointing  

down the path and saying, “Pay attention now, because the trail gets steeper the further down 

you go than you think.” The passage urges the reader to “remember your Creator in the days of 

your youth” before the “days of trouble” arrive. In a few short verses, the Teacher (Qoheleth,  

often translated “the Preacher” or “the Teacher.”) gives us a vivid picture of aging, frailty,  

mortality, and the certainty that every human life eventually returns to dust. 

This passage is not meant to depress us, it is meant to wake us up.  Ecclesiastes 12 

does not simply say, “You are going to die.” It says, “Because you are going to die, learn how to  

live.” The Teacher wants us to remember God before life becomes tangled in regret, weakness,  

fear, and loss. He wants us to build our lives around the Creator before the body begins to break  

down, and the opportunities of youth pass away like morning mist in the mountains. 

The main idea of Ecclesiastes 12:1–7 is that human beings must remember and honor their  

Creator before the decline of old age and the certainty of death reveal how fragile life truly is.  

The passage calls for more than mental recollection. To “remember” the Creator is to live in  

reality, awareness, humility, worship, obedience, gratitude, and dependence. The Teacher is 

calling the young—and really every generation—to live with God in view before the dust 

 returns to the earth and the spirit returns to the God who gave it. 

This paper will examine Ecclesiastes 12:1–7 by considering its literary context, historical 

background, key words, imagery, theological message, and personal practical significance.  

The passage is a wilderness warning and a gracious invitation. It tells us that life is a gift, youth  

is a stewardship, aging is a teacher, death is a boundary, and God is the One who gives meaning  

to the whole journey. 

Literary and Historical Context 

               Ecclesiastes belongs to the wisdom literature of the Old Testament. Alongside Job, 

Proverbs, and Song of Songs. Ecclesiastes wrestles with the meaning of life under God. 

The book is traditionally associated with Solomon because of the opening description: “The 

words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem” (Eccl. 1:1). Whether Solomon himself 

wrote the book directly or whether a later wisdom teacher wrote in a Solomonic tone, the voice 

of Ecclesiastes speaks with royal authority, broad experience, and deep reflection. 

2“Traditionally Qoheleth has been identified as Solomon.” 

According to Tremper Longman, 3the speaker is called Qoheleth, often translated as “the  

Teacher” or “the Preacher.” The Hebrew word carries the idea of one who gathers an assembly 

 or speaks before a gathered people.  

Qoheleth is not merely giving private journal reflections. He is addressing the community. He  

is calling people to consider the world honestly, without religious phrases and without  

pretending life is easier than it is. 

One of the key phrases in Ecclesiastes is “under the sun.” This phrase describes life from an 

earthly perspective—life observed in the ordinary world of labor, pleasure, injustice, time,  

aging, and death. The Teacher looks at everything people chase wisdom, wealth, work,  

pleasure, reputation and success. Again and again, he calls these things “vanity” or  

“meaningless,” using the Hebrew word hebel. This word does not always mean that life has no  

value. It often means that life is vapor-like, temporary, elusive, and impossible to fully control. 

4“Ecclesiastes dismantles the proud towers of human certainty.” 

Ecclesiastes is not a book of despair. It is a book of stripped-down honesty. It clears away false 

hopes so that true wisdom can stand. The Teacher is like a wilderness guide who removes the 

unnecessary gear from your pack because he knows the mountain will expose what you are 

carrying. Ecclesiastes teaches that if we build life only on what we can see, touch, earn, achieve, 

or control, we will eventually discover that everything slips through our fingers. But if we 

receive life as a gift from God and live in reverent fear before Him, we can find joy even in a  

world marked by mystery and mortality. 

The Command to Remember the Creator (vs 1) 

Ecclesiastes 12:1 begins, “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of 

trouble come and the years approach when you will say, ‘I find no pleasure in them.’” The 

command is simple, but it is loaded with meaning. To “remember” in Scripture means more than 

recalling information. Biblical remembering often involves action, loyalty, and covenant  

faithfulness. When God “remembers” His people, He acts on their behalf. When Israel is told to  

remember the Lord, they are called to live in obedience and worship. 

So when the Teacher says, “Remember your Creator,” he is not saying, “Do not forget that God  

exists.” He is saying, “Build your life around the One who made you.” Remembering the  

ourselves into existence. We did not breathe life into our own lungs. We are creatures, not  

creators. We are stewards, not owners. We are pilgrims, not permanent residents. 

The word “Creator” is important. The Teacher does not merely say, “Remember God,” though  

that would certainly be true. He says, “Remember your Creator.” This grounds the command in  

creation itself. God is the Maker of life, the Giver of breath, the Designer of the human body,  

and the One who formed both dust and spirit. This passage begins with the Creator and ends  

with the body returning to earth and the spirit returning to God. The structure reminds us that the 

whole human story begins and ends in the hands of God. 

“Before the Days of Trouble Come” (vs 2) 

In light of watching my parents transition from healthy vibrant people to being totally dependent 

on others was a reminder of this passage. The first “before” in the passage introduces urgency.  

The Teacher says to remember the Creator “before the days of trouble come.” These “days of  

trouble” refer to the hardships associated with aging, decline, and approaching death. The  

Teacher is realistic. Life is beautiful, but it is also hard. The body is a gift, but it is also  

temporary. Strength is real, but it does not last forever. 

The phrase “when you will say, ‘I find no pleasure in them’” points to a season when life’s joys  

become harder to access. This does not mean old age is only misery. Many older people possess  

deep joy, wisdom, peace, and spiritual richness. But Ecclesiastes is naming the honest  

difficulties that come with aging. There are seasons when the body hurts, friends are gone,  

independence is reduced, and ordinary pleasures are shadowed by limitations. 

The Darkening of the Lights (Vs 2) 

Ecclesiastes 12:2 continues, “before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark, 

and the clouds return after the rain.” This verse shifts into poetic imagery. The lights of the sky  

grow dim. The normal signs of brightness, guidance, beauty, and rhythm begin to fade. The  

image may describe the dimming of life’s vitality or even the loss of eyesight. It may also speak  

more broadly of the emotional and physical gloom that can accompany aging. 

The sun, moon, and stars are creation lights. They mark time and season. They give orientation  

to travelers. Anyone who has been out under a desert sky or paddled a river under the stars  

knows how much light matters. When the lights grow dark, the world feels different. The path is 

harder to see. The horizon disappears. The confidence of movement gives way to caution. 

This image is deeply human. It describes the cumulative nature of aging. The Teacher is not 

mocking the elderly. He is honoring their struggle. He is saying that a time may come when life 

feels like one storm after another. Therefore, remember the Creator before the sky darkens. 

The Keepers of the House Tremble (vs 3) 

Ecclesiastes 12:3 says, “when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men stoop.” The 

 “house” is likely a metaphor for the human body. The “keepers of the house” may refer to the  

arms and hands, which protect, work, hold, build, cook, write, carry, and serve. In old age, these  

keepers tremble. Hands that once swung a hammer, gripped handlebars, held children, served  

communion, cooked meals, or tied fishing knots may begin to shake. 

The “strong men” may refer to the legs, shoulders, or back. They stoop. The body that once  

stood tall begins to bend. The posture changes. The stride shortens. Strength gives way to  

caution. The uphill climb takes longer than it used to. The pack feels heavier. The trail that once  

felt easy now demands attention. 

This image is powerful because it recognizes the body as a house. We live in our bodies. We  

experience the world through them. We work, worship, love, serve, and adventure through these  

physical frames. But the house ages. The beams sag. The walls weaken. The hinges stiffen. The  

roof leaks. The body is good, but it is not permanent. 

For people of faith, this should not create contempt for the body. Christianity does not teach that  

the body is worthless. The body is created by God and will one day be raised. But Ecclesiastes  

reminds us that the present body is mortal. It is a tent, not the final home. The trembling of the  

keepers is a message preached through flesh: “Remember your Creator.” 

The Grinders Cease and the Windows Grow Dim vs 3b) 

The verse continues, “when the grinders cease because they are few, and those looking through  

the windows grow dim.” The “grinders” almost certainly refer to teeth. In the ancient world,  

dental loss was common in old age. The image is domestic and earthy. A household with fewer  

grinders produce less. In the same way, a mouth with fewer teeth struggles to chew. 

This is wisdom literature, at its most honest truth. It does not speak of aging in abstract terms. It  

brings it down to the daily realities of eating, seeing, walking, and hearing. The Teacher says  

that remembering the Creator is not just a spiritual idea floating above life. It is connected to the  

body at the most ordinary level. 

The “windows” likely refer to the eyes. Those who look through the windows grow dim. Sight  

fades. The world blurs. Faces become harder to recognize. Words on the page grow smaller.  

The trail ahead becomes less clear. The loss of vision is not only physical; it can also symbolize  

the narrowing of life’s possibilities. 

The Teacher’s imagery is tender but unflinching. He is reminding us that the faculties we often 

take for granted are gifts.  We usually do not appreciate these gifts until they begin to fail. 

The Doors Are Shut and the Sound of Grinding Fades (vs 4) 

Ecclesiastes 12:4 says, “when the doors to the street are closed and the sound of grinding fades.” 

This may refer to the ears becoming dull or to a person withdrawing from public life. The doors 

that once opened outward begin to close. The sounds of daily activity faint.  

Aging can bring isolation. The person who once moved easily through the community may  

become more homebound. The world outside still moves, but access to it becomes limited. The  

sound of grinding—perhaps the sound of millstones and daily labor—fades. Life becomes  

quieter, not always by choice. 

There is a word of ministry here. Ecclesiastes 12 does not only teach young people to remember  

God. It also teaches the community to remember the elderly. When the doors close and the  

sounds fade, the people of God should not forget those who are aging.  

The verse continues, “when people rise up at the sound of birds, but all their songs grow faint.”  

This may describe sleeplessness in old age. The elderly may wake early, even at the sound of  

birds. Yet the songs grow faint, possibly meaning hearing loss or the fading of music and joy.  

The world is still singing, but the aging person may not hear it as clearly. 

This again presses the urgency of the passage. Listen to the birds while you can. Hear the music  

of creation while your ears are open. Receive the joy of God’s world while the senses are alive.  

Do not wait to worship until the songs grow faint. 

Fear of Heights and Danger on the Road (vs 5) 

Ecclesiastes 12:5 says, “when people are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets.” The  

boldness of youth gives way to fear and vulnerability. Heights that once thrilled now threaten.  

Streets that once seemed ordinary now feel dangerous. Aging can shrink a person’s world not  

only because of physical limitation but also because of increased fear. 

This is another honest observation. When the body weakens, risks feel different. A fall is no  

longer a small accident; it can change everything. A crowded street can feel overwhelming. A  

simple outing can require planning, help, and courage. The Teacher understands that aging  

affects not only strength but confidence. Aging removes the illusion that we are self-sufficient. 

The Almond Tree Blossoms, the Grasshopper Drags, and Desire Fails (vs. 5) 

The same verse continues with three memorable images: “when the almond tree blossoms and  

the grasshopper drags itself along and desire no longer is stirred.” The almond tree was known  

for its white blossoms. Many interpreters see this as a picture of white hair in old age. The head  

blossoms like an almond tree. What once was dark becomes white. The body carries the visible  

signs of time. 

The grasshopper dragging itself along is almost humorous but also sad. A grasshopper is  

normally a creature of quick movement and sudden leaps. But here even the grasshopper drags.  

This likely pictures the slowing of movement in old age. The spring is gone from the step. The  

body that once leaped now shuffles. 

These images work together powerfully. The almond tree blossoms above, the grasshopper 

drags below, and desire fades within. Aging touches appearance, movement, and inner appetite.  

No part of human life remains untouched by time. 

Humanity Goes to Its Eternal Home (vs 5b) 

Ecclesiastes 12:5 then gives the reason for all this imagery: “Then people go to their eternal  

home and mourners go about the streets.” The passage has been moving toward death, and now  

death comes into full view. The aging person goes to his “eternal home,” and the mourners  

gather. 

The mourners in the street remind us that death is both personal and communal. When one 

person dies, others grieve. In the ancient world, mourning was often public and visible. The  

streets themselves carried the sound of loss. Death interrupts the whole community. 

This is important because our modern world often tries to privatize grief. We hide death in  

hospitals, funeral homes, and quiet announcements. But Ecclesiastes brings death into the street. 

It says, “Look at it. Do not pretend this is not part of life.” Wisdom requires that we face death  

honestly. 

The Silver Cord, Golden Bowl, Pitcher, and Wheel (vs.6) 

Ecclesiastes 12:6 says, “Remember him—before the silver cord is severed, and the golden bowl  

is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, and the wheel broken at the well.” The  

command to remember is repeated. This repetition is important. The Teacher circles back to the  

main point: remember Him before death comes. 

Together, these images suggest the final breakdown of life’s fragile mechanisms. The light goes  

out. The water vessel breaks. The wheel stops turning. The household of the body can no longer  

function. 

The beauty of the images makes the reality more sobering. The cord is silver. The bowl is  

golden. Human life is precious. The body is not trash; it is treasure. The tragedy of death is not  

that something worthless is discarded, but that something valuable is broken. Ecclesiastes  

honors human life by describing it with precious materials. 

this passage recognizes that death is now a universal boundary. Everyone’s cord will one day be  

severed. Everyone’s bowl will one day break. 

The question is whether we have remembered the Creator before that day. 

Dust Returns and the Spirit Returns (vs. 7) 

Ecclesiastes 12:7 concludes, “and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit 

returns to God who gave it.” This verse echoes Genesis 2:7, where God forms the man from the  

dust of the ground and breathes into him the breath of life. Ecclesiastes brings the reader back to 

creation. Human beings are dust animated by divine gift. We are earth and breath. We are  

material and spiritual. We are lowly and glorious at the same time. 

5“death occasion a remarkable distinction between humans and beast. Whereas dust returns to  

the earth, human breath ascends to God, who gave it.”  

The body returns to the ground. This is not a metaphor only; it is a physical reality. The human  

frame, made from the elements of the earth, returns to the earth. Every funeral testifies to this  

truth. The strongest body, the most beautiful face, the most disciplined athlete, the hardest  

worker, the wealthiest ruler, and the poorest laborer all share the same earthly end. 

6The book has some other biblical connections, Ecclesiastes 12:7 also says, “the spirit returns to  

God who gave it.” This again connects to Genesis 2:7, where God breathes life into humanity.  

The body returns to the earth, but the life-breath belongs to God. This verse reminds the reader  

that human life begins with God and ends before God. We are not independent creatures; we are  

dependent on the One who gives life, breath, and meaning. 

But the spirit returns to God who gave it. Life is not self-originating. The breath within us is  

entrusted by God. At death, the gift returns to the Giver. This does not answer every question  

about the intermediate state or the final resurrection, but it clearly places human destiny in  

God’s hands. 

7“Ecclesiastes as wisdom literature that resists easy answers and forces the reader to live 

faithfully within mystery. In this way, Ecclesiastes 12 teaches that wisdom is not denial of death  

but faithful living in light of death.” 

Practical Application 

The application is for the young: do not waste your youth. Youth is not just a time for self- 

expression; it is a time for spiritual formation. Remember God while your mind is sharp, your  

body is strong, your options are many, and your habits are still being shaped. Give God more  

than the leftovers of your life. Give Him your first strength. 

Ecclesiastes 12:1–7 is no longer just ancient poetry to me; it has become deeply personal. Over  

the past three years, while serving as trustee and power of attorney for my mom, dad, and Aunts  

estate, I have watched people I love move from strength and vitality into the difficult realities of  

aging. Their slowing steps and weakening bodies have become a living reminder of Solomon’s  

words. Ecclesiastes 12 speaks honestly and tenderly about life’s fading strength, calling us to  

“remember our Creator” before the difficult days come. 

Today, at 68, I would tell my 17-year-old self: Remember your Creator while your legs are  

strong, your eyes are clear, and your dreams are still running wild—because one day the trail  

will slow, but the One who called you will still be faithful. 

Conclusion 

8“There is nothing pleasant about old age and death, regardless of how one approaches this  

text.” 

Ecclesiastes 12:1–7 is a holy wake-up call. It tells us to remember our Creator before the days of 

trouble come. It paints the aging body with unforgettable images: trembling keepers, stooping  

strong men, few grinders, dim windows, closed doors, faint songs, fear of heights, blossoming  

almond trees, dragging grasshoppers, broken bowls, shattered pitchers, and dust returning to  

earth. 

The passage is beautiful because it is honest. It does not flatter youth or deny aging. It does not  

hide death or exaggerate human strength. It simply tells the truth: life is a gift from the Creator,  

and that gift must be received with reverence before it passes. 

To me, Ecclesiastes 12 feels like a word spoken around a late-night campfire after a long day on  

the trail. The flames are low. The stars are bright. The old guide leans forward and says, don’t  

wait until your legs are gone to choose the right trail. Don’t wait until the light fades to look for  

the One who made the sun. Don’t wait until the dust settles to remember where your breath  

came from. 

The Creator is not only waiting at the end of the trail. He is the One who has been walking with  

us from the beginning. 

 

Bibliography 

Crenshaw, James L. Old Testament: An Introduction. 3rd ed. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2010. 

Crenshaw, James L. “Youth and Old Age in Qoheleth.” Hebrew Annual Review 10 (1986): 1–12. 

Fox, Michael V. A Time to Tear Down and a Time to Build Up: A Rereading of Ecclesiastes. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999. 

Longman III, Tremper. The Book of Ecclesiastes. New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998. 

Seow, Choon-Leong. Ecclesiastes: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. Anchor Bible 18C. New York: Doubleday, 1997. 

Zondervan Academic. “Who Wrote Ecclesiastes and What Does It Mean?” October 21, 2017. 

The Holy Bible, New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2011. 

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Life and Ministry on the Road —2025

A Look Back at Life on the Road — 2025

The year 2025 was both a tremendous blessing and a whirlwind of travel for the ministries of Trailhead Tacos and Outdoor Nations Network.

We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to every pastor, church, and organization who believed in us and supported the work God is doing through these ministries. Your prayers, encouragement, and partnership made this incredible journey possible.

Below is a snapshot of our 2025 travels—a testament to the relationships built, the ministry shared, and the connections made along the way.

**Outdoor Nations Network & Trailhead Tacos

Ministry Travel Log — 2025**

January 9–30 – Creation Care and Adventure Ministry Class, Yellowstone Theological Seminary
February 2–4 – Moab, Utah pre-trip for Desert Fathers Collective
February 6–27 – Creation Care and Adventure Ministry Class, Yellowstone Theological Seminary
March 6–20 – Creation Care and Adventure Ministry Class, Yellowstone Theological Seminary
March 21–26 – Desert Fathers Collective, Moab, Utah
March 31 – Journey Church Troy, Missouri Executive Board Meeting Pastor Jesse Quiroz.

April 21 – Journey Church Cottonwood Men’s Event planning – Pastor Jerry Trewren
April 29–30 – Arizona Ministry Network Conference, Phoenix, Arizona

May 10 – Trailhead Taco Drop, Banner Church Men’s Gathering
May 11 – Banner Church, Mesa, Arizona – Pastor Josh Weisbrod
May 25–June 1 – Alaska

June 12–19 – Colorado River Trip with Nate Loper & Canyon Ministries (92 river miles)
June 21–22 – Auburn First Assembly – Pastor Rob Baker
June 21–27 – Tahoe Residency Internship Program, Tahoe Church – Pastor Terrence Sutton

July 26 – Chino Valley Word of Life Assembly of God Men’s Event – Pastor Todd League
July 29 – Urban Hope Church, Flagstaff – Executive Board Meeting – Pastor Adam Kling
July 30 – Desert Fathers Collective Planning Zoom Call
July 31 – Journey Church Cottonwood Men’s Event & Taco Drop – Pastor Jerry Trewren

August 2–6 – Journey Church, Troy, Missouri – Pastor Jesse Quiroz
August 7–10 – Eleven Point River Float Trip – Michael Ketcherside
August 13–17 – Visalia, California
August 18 – Visalia First Assembly – Pastor Mark Merril
August 29–September 3 – Yellowstone Theological Adventure Practicum – Yellowstone National Park back country Wilderness Kayak Trip – Vern Streeter

September 4–8 – Taco Drop, The Table Church, Park City, Utah – Pastor Bryon White
September 20 – Taco Drop, Wonderslaught Mountain Bike Festival, Prescott, Arizona
September 26 – Mancamp 1 Taco Drop, Arizona Ministry Network Men’s Ministries, Yisrael Vincent.
September 28 – Pastor Tommy Barnett at Urban Hope Church, Flagstaff, Arizona

October 3 – Mancamp 2 Taco Drop, Arizona Ministry Network Men’s Ministries, Yisrael Vincent.
October 6–November 27 – Theological Foundations, Yellowstone Theological Seminary
October 12 – Chino Valley Word of Life Assembly of God – Pastor Todd League

November 7–9 – Discovery Church, Catalina, Arizona – Pastor RJ Trewren
November 14 – Sectional Thanksgiving Dinner, Prescott Life Church – Pastor David Groff
November 15–16 – Abundant Grace Church, Lake Havasu City – Pastor Art Navarro

December 10 – Department of Child Safety Christmas Taco Drop, Summit Church,
Anthem, Arizona – Pastor Jeremy Naranjo & Pastor Stephen Harris

A Closing Prayer

Lord,
We thank You for every mile traveled, every conversation shared, and every heart You touched throughout this past year. We are grateful for the pastors, churches, and partners who walked alongside us in faith, prayer, and generosity. As we look back on 2025, we give You all the glory for what You have done through Trailhead Tacos and Outdoor Nations Network.

As we step forward, we ask for Your continued guidance, provision, and protection. Open new doors for ministry, deepen relationships, and keep our hearts humble and obedient to Your call. May everything we do point people to You and invite them into deeper community, discipleship, and adventure with Christ.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

A Call to Partnership

As we look ahead to what God has planned, we invite you to continue partnering with us through prayer, encouragement, and financial support. Your partnership makes it possible for us to show up in communities, serve churches, and meet people where faith and the outdoors intersect.

If you believe in this mission and would like to walk alongside us, we would be honored to have you join the Trailhead Tacos and Outdoor Nations Network family. Together, we can keep building meaningful relationships, sharing the Gospel, and creating space for life-changing conversations—one meal, one trail, and one story at a time.

Thank you for standing with us and for being part of this journey.

With gratitude in Christ,
Steve & Brenda Lummer
Trailhead Tacos & Outdoor Nations Network

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Adventure Practice, Outdoor Nations Network, outdoors, Yellowstone Theological Adventure Studies

Between Fangs And Feathers

Between Fangs and Feathers
How God uses the wilderness to shape and keep the identity we were meant to have.
By Steve Lummer

“And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.” – Mark 1:13

Not long after Jesus was baptized by John, and not long after he heard his Heavenly Father say, “This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17, NIV), he was tested regarding his identity. Jesus provides a model for finding and keeping our true identity through his wilderness experience. For forty days, Jesus was tempted with the “if you are” challenges from the devil. Matthew, Luke, and Mark record this wilderness experience, where Jesus faced his challenges for forty days and nights.

Mark 1:9-13 (ESV):
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you, I am well pleased.” The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.

Somewhere between the wild animals and the wisp of angels’ wings stood Jesus, alone, for forty days and nights. I like that Jesus spent forty nights of his life out in the wild with wolves. As Mark tells us, he was with the wild beasts.

I remember a vivid black night in the Irish wilderness, staring at the sky at 11:00 p.m. just before bedtime. I let the fire die down and adjusted my eyes to catch a glimpse of the Milky Way—a God-given star show on an Ozark night. But that wasn’t the only gift that dark night offered. As I scanned the horizon across the dark forest, I saw gleaming eyes like live coals. First one pair, then a second, then a third. A circle of narrow eyes surrounded my camp, appearing and disappearing, leaving me shivering in the silence. Wilderness places give us the opportunity to discover the person God created us to be.

We need to intimately know this Jesus who endured the wilderness, for it is the wilderness where we dwell. It’s in this terrain that the Holy Spirit, Satan, wild beasts, and angels all reside together. We can survive such a place only through companionship with the one who knows the way.

Mark, unlike Matthew and Luke, offers no extraneous details about Jesus’s wilderness experience. Instead, Mark presents us with a simple yet powerful image: “The Spirit immediately drove Jesus out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was with the wild beasts, and angels waited on him.” (Mark 1:12-13)

As I reflect on Mark’s version, three truths stand out:

  1. Jesus was in the wilderness (Eremos), between the wild beasts and the angels.

What happens to you in the wilderness?

  • You find out how weak you are.
  • You find out how strong you are.
  • You find out who God is.
  • You find out who you are.

The wilderness, or Eremos in Greek, can be translated as a desert, deserted place, desolate place, solitary place, lonely place, quiet place, or wilderness. For this reflection, I’ll focus on the Eremos space that Jesus was led to by the Holy Spirit—a place where, as Mark 13 shows, Jesus was between the things of this earth and the things of heaven.

“He was with the wild beasts, and angels waited on him.” – Mark 1:13

Jesus was between the fangs of the wild beasts that could have distracted him and the feathers of the heavenly host that ministered to him. He was literally between the fangs and the feathers. The Celtic Christians have a term for such experiences: “thin places.” These are rare locales where the distance between heaven and earth collapses.

Thin places are locations where the veil between heaven and earth is nearly translucent, offering us glimpses into another realm. This idea often refers to mountaintops or other physical locations, but it also signifies spiritual closeness. When we face trials, eternity feels nearer, and the kingdom becomes more visible if we choose to look closely.

Over the past several years, more articles on thin places have appeared. Eric Weiner’s essay “Where Heaven and Earth Come Closer” in the New York Times (2012) and Oliver Burkeman’s “Where Heaven and Earth Collide” in the Guardian(2014) explore this concept rooted in Celtic spirituality. They describe thin places as locations where we catch glimpses of the divine or the transcendent.

The thin space of the wilderness can confuse and feel like a crisis. We lose our bearings and find new ones—or we don’t. Either way, we are jolted into seeing the world differently. Thin places transform us, unmask us, and help us become our essential selves. In these places, the distractions of daily life are stripped away, revealing who God made us to be.

“And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.” – Mark 1:13

In Matthew’s account of Jesus’ wilderness experience, we see how the wilderness solidified Jesus’ identity and his mission.

Jesus’ identity was questioned and solidified in the wilderness.

I once heard a story of a middle-aged woman who had a heart attack and a near-death experience. Seeing God, she asked, “Is this it?” God replied, “No, you have another 43 years, 2 months, and 8 days to live.” After recovering, she decided to have cosmetic surgeries, figuring she might as well make the most of her extended life. After her final procedure, she was killed by an ambulance. Arriving before God, she asked, “I thought you said I had another 40 years?” God replied, “I didn’t recognize you…”

Most people live their entire lives as strangers to themselves. Don’t let that happen to you. The easiest thing to be is yourself. The hardest thing is trying to be what others want you to be. As John Mason once told me, “Steve, we are all born originals… don’t die a copy.” The wilderness dares us to be who we are meant to be. I believe Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness wasn’t just about turning stones to bread, jumping from a tower, or worshipping the devil. His temptations were about becoming the person his Father needed him to be.

Many Bible scholars suggest that the specific temptations Jesus faced in the wilderness represent three main categories of all human temptation. The apostle John labeled these as “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16, NIV).

The three tests of Jesus’ identity in Matthew 4:1-11:

  1. The first test is the test of choosing an identity of self or “the lust of the flesh.”“The tempter came to him and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.’ Jesus answered, ‘It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” – Matthew 4:3-4
  2. The second test is the test of choosing an identity of materialism, or the “lust of the eyes.”“Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ‘If you are the Son of God,’ he said, ‘throw yourself down. For it is written: “He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is also written: Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” – Matthew 4:5-7
  3. The third test is the test of choosing an identity of “the pride of life.”“Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ‘All this I will give you,’ he said, ‘if you will bow down and worship me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.” – Matthew 4:8-11

The wilderness is where we identify who we are and what our mission is.

“And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.” – Mark 1:13

Before beginning his earthly ministry, Jesus needed to know who he was and what his mission for the Father would be. Similarly, before we set out to fulfill God’s assignment for our lives, we must have a firm understanding of our identity and who God has made us to be.

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
“Each of us is an original.” – Galatians 5:26 (NIV)

Wilderness reveals the original you.

  1. Wilderness and outdoor classrooms help us recognize defining life moments, both personally and collectively.
    A wilderness experience is crucial for encouraging and equipping the saints. A well-organized wilderness classroom opens our eyes in unique and inspiring ways. In the wilderness, we gain the heart to love God and others more deeply. Wilderness also helps us develop the skills needed to impact others with humble confidence. There are many opportunities right outside our doors to engage others with the wonder of God’s creation. With the proper structure, outdoor creation education empowers both teacher and learner in ways often unachievable in traditional classrooms.
  2. Wilderness experiences help you do personal archaeology with fewer distractions.
    Wilderness places give us the opportunity to utilize solitude and silence, which in turn provides a setting to minimize life’s distractions and immerse ourselves in God’s presence within His creation.
  3. Wilderness and adventure experiences help you decide to be yourself.
    Just as Jesus was tempted to sell out for something less than his Father’s design for his life, we too can discover our unique purpose in wilderness places. The wilderness strips away our false selves and reveals who our Creator designed us to be.

You owe it to God and yourself to be yourself.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

There has never been and never will be another you. Your wilderness defines you. It shapes you. It helps create you—through pain, hardship, and confusion. It is your wilderness, and no one else’s. Between the wildness of earth and the wisdom of heaven, we discover who we are and what we are here for. When we find our “why” in the wilderness, we will always find our way.

Wilderness, as Michael Easter points out in his book The Comfort Crisis, addresses what he calls “Western laziness”:
“It consists of cramming our lives with compulsive activity, so there is no time to confront the real issues… If we look into our lives, we will see clearly how many unimportant tasks, so-called ‘responsibilities,’ accumulate to fill them up. Going on as we do, obsessively trying to improve our conditions, can become an end in itself and a pointless distraction.”

Michael Easter continues:
“But there are a lot of great pleasures you can get out of the experience of being alone with yourself. In solitude, you can find the unfiltered version of you. People often have breakthroughs where they tap into how they truly feel about a topic and come to some new understanding about themselves. Then you can take your realizations into the social world. Building the capacity to be alone probably makes your interactions with others richer because you’re bringing to the relationship a person who’s actually got stuff going on inside, and isn’t just a connector circuit that only thrives off of others.”

Research backs up solitude’s benefits—it improves productivity, creativity, empathy, and happiness while decreasing self-consciousness.

God uses the wilderness to shape and maintain the identity we were meant to have. Do not lose your God-given identity in this self-important, synthetic, and sensually-driven culture. It’s time to trade in our fleeting worldly identity for one that is eternal. Do not be afraid to place your identity in Him. God is present in your wilderness, and you were made in His image. Quiet yourself in God’s creation.

Or, as Oscar Wilde said: “Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken.”

“And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.” – Mark 1:13

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