Pure. Unknown. Beautiful. Majestic. Heavenly. Sacred. Infinite. Simple. Many, if not all, of these words, might be used to describe God and what he has created FOR us. For me, these descriptors encompass the natural world in its purest form. The natural world, or wild or nature or simply “the woods” (as I grew up referencing it), is where I most deeply encounter the presence and love of God. This is where I feel the sweet and simple serenity of solitude.

The sweet and simple serenity of solitude. I cherish the opportunity to walk or wade in the wild to experience the pure and simple beauty of God’s creation. I often find myself encountering these dreams and visions as they roam about my head, conjuring up the wild places that I wish to visit and explore. Some of these places I have only heard of and know very little about, so the creative parts of my mind explore and envision and generate experiences of what those places might be like. What type of fish species might take my fly first? What kind of smells will be present? What animals will I see? …. So when I finally have the chance to experience a few of these places, they never fail to exceed my expectations. As many of you have said or heard before: “It’s just better in person” or “Pictures don’t do it justice”. It’s that simple: They don’t do it justice and they are better in person. To me, this is the uniqueness and tranquility of God’s work. The simplest and purest form of the natural world.

Throughout my life, I have spent a large portion of time in nature and “in the woods”. Hikes with my family as a young boy, hunting, backpacking, and really just about anything my brother and I could find to do outside. It wasn’t until later in my life that I realized how God’s true miracle of creation shows up so purely when in the presence of the wild. It existed before, but I just didn’t have the experience or maturity to realize it for what it is.

What I have since realized are two things:
1) Nature brings about the sweet and simple serenity of solitude. In my adventures, I have spent many hours in solitude… whether it be in the middle of a river flinging a fly rod and fly to unsuspecting fish or hiking the narrows of Zion National Park, or being alone and in solitude for a 22-mile backpacking excursion, each time allows for the peace of God’s creation to fill and rejuvenate my thoughts and spiritual emptiness. A chance to realign my priorities and mend connections with God.

2) There is no judgment in nature; no judgment is passed on who you are or what you do or what you’ve done. You are just another part of God’s perfect creation, interacting with all living organisms within the beauty of the landscape.

Next to my experiences of the past and experiences to come, lies an overwhelming concern for the continued existence of the natural world as I have become to know it. I long for my children and their children and all future generations to have the same opportunity to experience the wild places as I and so many others of the past have; To embark upon journeys into the relatively unknown landscapes of Earth’s wild places. And in those excursions, seek to encounter the sweetness of solitude that forces us humans to switch off the noises of our everyday lives and listen to the peace and love of God’s work.

So in closing, I challenge you, no matter what your beliefs or interests may be, to think about the livelihood of the natural areas you visit or inhabit. What actions can you take to ensure its beauty can be experienced by others in the future? What simple gestures will safeguard their existence? What actions are needed to assist in the conservation and preservation of the finite visually stunning areas of OUR natural world?

I challenge you to feel the sweet and simple serenity of solitude.