Spiritual Wellness
As we read in a beautiful, inspiring Bible verse from John 1:3: "Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made."
It is not atypical for people to feel closer to God when out in nature. There is just something about breathing in fresh air under a clear blue sky that helps to calm the mind and awaken the soul to God's presence. In the beginning, after all, God created the most wonderful garden for Adam and Eve to enjoy, where they were able to commune with Him directly among the lush vegetation that He provided for them.
Unlike some other religious and spiritual traditions, Christianity is not inherently world-denying. A Christian should not become attached to the material objects of this world, but neither is material existence seen as something that can lead us spiritually astray. Christians are called to love and, through that love, to help make the world a better place.
Right from the very start the Bible tells us that God created the natural world and saw that it was "good." Though humanity may have its flaws, creation is essentially beautiful and worthwhile. Many Christians, and even many people who do not profess an affiliation to any religion at all, find that they are able to experience a deep spiritual connection to God after surrounding themselves with the natural world.
Part of this may simply come from the beauty and majesty that our planet displays. Mountains, trees, rivers, valleys, waterfalls, canyons, plains, oceans, and lakes; these natural formations have a way of captivating us and making us think of something much bigger than ourselves. They invite a somber and reflective state of mind, a state of mind that often leads back to God and the awesomeness of creation. All throughout the Bible we find references to finding God in nature, such as in this spiritually encouraging quote from the Book of Job:
"But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind." (Job 12:7-10)
Whether you go for a hike or simply sit on the shores of a lake, you need only to allow yourself to shake off the worries and stresses of life in order to see God's presence all around you. He is in the rustling of the leaves, the hissing of the grass as wind blows across it, the trickle of a stream, and even in the calls of birds hiding in the trees.
If you need the space and place to reconnect with God somewhere outside of a church, then it's time to rediscover the bountiful and beautiful garden that our planet really is. As we read in a beautiful, inspiring Bible verse from John 1:3: "Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made." God is alive and announcing Himself in every nook and cranny of creation, you need only to find the will to see it.
Spiritual Prayer
My heart rejoices in the Lord; my horn is exalted in the Lord. My mouth is bold against my enemies because I rejoice in Your salvation. There is none Holy as the Lord, For there is none besides You, and there is no rock like our God. Do not multiply proud speech, nor let arrogance come out of your mouth, for the Lord is the God of Knowledge, and by Him actions are examined. The bows of the mighty are broken, but those who stumbled are girded with strength. Those that were full have hired out themselves for bread and those that were hungry ceased to hunger. Even the barren has borne seven and she that has many children waste away. The Lord kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up. The Lord makes poor and makes rich. He brings low and lifts up. He raises up the poor out of the dust and lifts up the oppressed from the dunghill to make them sit with princes and inherit a throne of glory. For the pillars of the earth belong to the Lord, and He has set the world upon them. He will guard the feet of His saints, but the wicked will be silent in darkness. For by strength shall no man prevail. The adversaries of the Lord will be broken to pieces. He will thunder against them out of heaven. The Lord will judge the ends of the earth. He will give strength to His king and exalt the horn of the anointed.