I love nature. If anyone asks me if I’m up for a walk, I’ll already have my hiking boots laced up by the time they’ve even finished the question. Camping is a favorite activity of mine, and the more primitive the better; there should be no running water unless there’s a stream, and there should be no toilet until you dig one

I’m well aware that not everyone feels this way, however, and even I wasn’t always this extreme. It took a week-long trip into Minnesota’s back country for the whole “wilderness” thing to really click, and now I can’t get enough. Why? Because in being disconnected from all the distractions of life at home and being closer than ever to God’s creation, I found a solitude that was life-changing

There’s a strong Biblical precedence for finding solitude in nature. Matthew writes that “after [Jesus] had dismissed [the crowds], he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was [still] there alone. (14:33)” Jesus actually did this frequently, even on the night before His crucifixion (the mount of olives was a favorite retreat for Him).

To really experience God, there’s no better way than to get away from the Internet, your phone, and the stress of your job and just head into the wilderness. The first day can be a little... well, scary. Leaving your phone off is like cutting off a limb; it’s painful. But after that initial adjustment, you feel your mind open, and it’s truly possible to hear God speaking to you.

David knew about the power of God’s creation. In Psalms 19:2, he writes that “the heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge.” This verse perfectly captures how God speaks to us through nature.

For those of you who are freaking out a little right now, don’t worry. You don’t have to go on a two-week excursion into the wilderness to experience God. A simple walk by yourself through a local park can be enough. Look around at the trees, hear the birds singing, and just live in that moment. God can use that time. Of course, a little camping doesn’t hurt, either--even if it is somewhere with an actual toilet