“But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.” Job 12:7-10
When was the last time you went out and spent some quality and quiet time in nature? This is something I am going to strive to do more often. Remember, even Jesus did so. In the Gospels, Jesus frequently withdrew to the wilderness to pray, as seen in Luke 5:16, where it states, “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed”.
This habit of solitude allowed Him to reflect, recharge, and prepare for His ministry, as noted in Mark 1:35, where He rises early in the morning to pray alone. Jesus’ retreats to the wilderness symbolize a separation from worldly distractions, enabling Him to focus on spiritual matters and deepen His relationship with God. If we say we follow Jesus, then should we not as well?
One reason people in the country tend to be more serious about their faith than those that live in an urban environment is that they are closer to the creation of God.
I love this and wholeheartedly agree. I’ve been blessed to live walking distance to the lake with it’s parks and greenery. I go out there most mornings, alone and I begin by thanking God for the day. Even when I didn’t live near the lake, I would travel to the lake. It’s a blessing to me and I know it.
I fed the squirrels and chipmunks all winter so now I’m stuck still feeding them and they can be a distraction. Otherwise it’s my time with God and for some reason I pray out loud. The lake is different every morning. Sometimes like silk. Other times rough and rolling.
I used to picture Jesus and His disciples on a boat in the water. This was when I had cancer and had to travel to the lake. Being out there and alone with just my Lord brought me peace and courage. That’s not something I could have managed without that solitary place of trees and water.
So I agree with you totally and would suggest everyone to find their place of retreat. As Jesus did, so should we.
100%. Being in nature always gives me perspective, inspires me, calms me, and helps me reconnect with God. Whether it’s the ocean, the woods, or simply an urban walking path, being outside in the sun, wind, or even rain is so restorative. I’m so thankful I was exposed to nature and developed a love for it and how it helps us connect to God from a young age. It’s honestly something I rely on a lot as an adult when things are difficult—and when they’re not too.
Where I live is very similar secluded in the woods 1000 or so feet from the lake, wildlife everywhere, the solitude and beauty of it make you appreciate God and the wonders of nature, I enjoy the work maintaining 2 acres of wooded proprety. Blessed my family chose such a location with me in mind.
we fed the deer, never feed the deer they become an army of deer
Over the 25 years of rebellion against God, I still found myself worshipping and praising Him virtually every time I rode my motorcycle. Despite living in sin, I often broke out in tongues, particularly up in the Rockies or sitting by the rivers. I put 180,000 miles on my 02 Heritage HD and 97000 miles on my 2016 Indian. Riding connected me to nature and nature connected me to God. He never left me.
I agree. I sold my modular home on a quarter-acre lot in a Park in Florida, and bought two houses on 18 acres in the North Country for nearly the same price. Yes, we have cold, right now, May 14th, 3:55 am, it is 44 degrees Fahrenheit, A lot of snow yearly, and whatnot, yes, our nearest neighbor is up the street, yes, there is nothing for 25 minutes, but farms. But? We actually have places around here with no employees. Like Maple Stop up the road. 24 hours. You walk in, get what you want, put money in the box, and leave. Like in the 90’, everyone up here does checks. Snail mail, and say hi, you ya when they see ya.
I have 16 acres of woods. I love to get lost in there and get close to nature. Me and my daughter Maya use to do these Daddy/Daughter walks to a local park and a little store in Florida, now we walk into the woods and see what is there. There are definitely more deer than people up here. I could not be happier.
Something so peaceful. I thank God daily for the solitude.
Peter
Yes, that is awesome. Being alone with God is both calming and regenerative. Being able to pray or simply speak to Him without distractions is a blessing. I would encourage everyone to try this, if possible.
Peter
Yes. I’m not sure where you are located, but up here we have the four seasons, three truthfully. Winter, a week of spring, maybe, summer, and fall, back to winter. I love watching things grow from dead to alive. Seeing the wild strawberries, black caps, wild rhubarb, and I even found an apple tree in the woods. I cannot think of a more peaceful place to be.
Peter
I learned that. But it is peaceful. It may not sound very Christian of me, but I like animals more than I do most people. No agendas, no evil intents, just want to exist and be loved.
Peter
I miss living in Colorado! My kids were not raised on video games, I didn’t like them or play them, let’s go to the mountains today! The thing that is most memorable at being in the Rocky Mountains was…being in solitude and the wind whistling thru the pine trees. It almost never stopped.
I can’t really recall if I ever prayed while in the mountains because I was not walking with the Lord then, however I did have God in my heart so I might have, probably did. Now, here in Ohio where the Lord sent me…I’m from here but I lived in Colorado for about 30 years so I don’t remember anywhere to go in Ohio.
I once had a kid online sneer at me (so to speak) for asking him if he has ever gone camping? Man, he sneered at the outdoors like he don’t need that crap. The voice of one raised on video games, lol. It was good in Colorado because all you need to have something to do is have gas money and go to the mountains! One doesn’t even need to do anything once you’re there either, just be there, quietly. It made me feel good. I’ve read this and that about why does being in nature make humans feel good, and some say it’s the colors, mostly green which is calming, and others were saying it was related to the lack of exposure to electromagnetic fields of the city from all the high voltage wiring. But I know the truth now, it’s the Lord, that’s why being in nature is so peaceful.
Or I suppose it could be a combination of all of it, the way it was in the Garden of Eden and everything was green and no electric at all, just nature. Hey that’s how it will be again during the Millennium! Good topic Brother!
I had 5 or so Deer walk by my backyard this morning. Five of them! When I lived in Colorado sometimes we’d go visit the bridge, Royal Gorge. They have a huge herd of deer there which are all hand fed, they have a small market there and sell bags of deer pellets to feed them so you can save the potato chips, lol. We went down there ine summer and got a whoee lot of pictures of us and the kids feeding the deer and we made Christmas cards out of them and sent them back to family in Ohio…We got accused of staging the pictures, like they weren’t real, lol. But they were.
I had a mule deer head butt me when I ran out of pellets and he wanted more. I slapped him right in the chops to warn him, lol
I grew up in the Upper Midwest, so where there are reportedly four seasons, but mostly winter haha. I learned to see so much beauty in snow and ice and cold, though, and then, like you said, when spring does break trough, it’s glorious.
I live in the Mid-Atlantic now, so much milder. I don’t think I’d like living somewhere that doesn’t have all four seasons. The change of seasons and witnessing seemingly dead things coming alive again has so many poignant parallels with the Christian faith.
I would live out on 16 acres like a hermit , I have a grandfather who did the same only he bought 4 lots in a campground/park area in the woods of warsaw, mo. hunting, fishing and growing his own food and trading with local amish
I feel like the simpler life is the way to go, I can’t wait until I’m at the place in life where I live on wooded land and operate a CNC business focused on using actual hand chopped wood to produce religous items (crosses, signs etc) quality product for a low price (My Business management degree capstone project idea)
Thats the goal, start a family, build a life and above all praise God.
idk if I will find a wife okay with living in the woods though
You know, when I got up here, right on the board of Canada, literally. I saw all these wood standing Bigfoot, uh Bigfeet? Foots? whatever. I asked a local what this was all about, and I was told “Oh yeah, they are up here. You may even see one on your property.” I haven’t yet. A lot of Deer, some wild Turkeys hang out often, and some Foxes. I’m guessing to eat the trurkys. But I love this area.
Peter
Amen. I have gotten pretty good at the wood-burning furnace. When it gets below zero, I just stay inside if I can, but YES, the Spiring is amazing. I never thought I loved wild flowers. But MAN! I really do.
Peter
I tend to call them the Nephilim ! That of course means that: in the Name of Jesus Go! would be an effective phrase to say to them if ever get too close!
But it is peaceful. It may not sound very Christian of me, but I like animals more than I do most people. No agendas, no evil intents, just want to exist and be loved.
, I have a grandfather who did the same only he bought 4 lots in a campground/park area in the woods of warsaw, mo. hunting, fishing and growing his own food and trading with local amish