Both of my daughters, Mara especially, have grown up with a deep appreciation of the wilderness.
Do we not notice that people long for the wilderness? We seek to vacation there, to hike there, to look upon it. There is a draw to the wilds. The draw is, indeed, to the majestic beauty of creation, but could it be a calling that we hear as well? Could it be that the “connection” we feel is that we are actually closer to God because we are less distracted by OUR creations (which lessen us) and more focused on HIS creations (which expand us)?
I have walked and camped in the woods. I have stood by a stream and felt its cool water on my fingers. I have stood on some peaks (not very high ones!) and gazed out over what seems like an infinite forest. At all these times I feel like I am at the doorway of something majestic, something almost magical, that both exhilarates me and relaxes me. The wilds are both full of dark places and fear, and welcoming at the same time.
This is like communing with God. It is full of dark places (that will be revealed) but infinitely welcoming.
Perhaps by meditations need to be closer to trees, to streams, to trails in the woods. Maybe there I can hear the “still, small voice” that Elijah heard.
Listen.
———-
Mark K.
This is such a cool post! I especially enjoy “Could it be that the “connection” we feel is that we are actually closer to God because we are less distracted by OUR creations (which lessen us) and more focused on HIS creations (which expand us)?”
I feel that I do become distracted by human creations. Going into the wilderness has always proved to be a vacation for me.