Being in nature tends to stir my soul. The clean air, the quiet of the trees, and the tender songs and clicks of small animals point to the work of the Creator. No matter if you hike a trail or you are just sitting outdoors, nature brings you one step to God.
In the Bible, the wilderness often serves as a place of divine encounter and, let’s be honest, a place that doesn’t reveal the whole picture. Moses heard God’s voice through a burning bush, Elijah found refuge and renewal in the desert, and Jesus spent time in the wilderness, fasting and praying before His ministry began. Nature, for example, can provide us with a holy place from which we can unplug, turn down the volume of distractions, and become attentive to hear God’s call for what He has asked us to do.
At such times, we are moved to take in the immensity of God’s power around us; we are brought to our need for strength, fortitude, and dependence on something beyond the self. We are struck at the vastness of creation when the Creator spoke the mountains from the top of the head to the bottom of the feet and is to care for the smallest sparrow as well.
The wilderness, like our spiritual journeys, can be unpredictable and wild. But we can be sure that God will equip us to overcome whatever comes our way. By praying, reading scripture, or even just becoming still, we can all rediscover the power we need to keep moving forward, anchored by belief.
Mountains and rivers, as far as the eye can see, tell the story of our Maker’s grandeur. Next time you are in nature, stop for a moment and worship; just breathe and worship. Allow the wonder of creation to bring the grace of the God who created it to mind. Pray, give thanks, and find rest in the comfort of the love and concern that only comes from knowing that the God of all things loves you and values you dearly.
When we spend time in the silent tranquility of nature, we can turn to the Lord in greater proximity. The wilderness provides us with the room to commune with our Lord in a way that we cannot do so in our frantic, hectic daily experience. Therefore, come outside, feel the sun’s warmth on your face as you inhale, and let the awe of creation guide you into worship and communion with the God of creation.
Top Photo: Krzysztof Golik