If we were to ask a large group of people, “Where would you go to find God?” many of them might describe a majestic mountain top, a babbling brook in a meadow, or perhaps a warm sunny beach. The location would differ from person to person, but it would often be a place of peace and beauty.
Why is this? Why is it that when we think of God we often think of peaceful and beautiful places?
I believe the answer is found in the character of God. Peace and beauty are characteristics that describe God, so when we are surrounded by peace or beauty, there is an awareness deep in our souls that there is something God-like in that place.
Scripture agrees, stating the divine nature of God is seen through creation (Romans 1:20). The writer of the Psalms says something similar: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands” (Psalm 19:1). Creation leads to the Creator.
People of many religions feel this same sense of awe and wonder in the beauty of nature…so much so that some have even made nature their god. As Christians, we believe that nature was designed and created to show us attributes of God, not to be god. Nature in and of itself cannot save our loved ones from addiction, depression, or sin. However, the God who created nature can. This good God can save us from the pit of despair and offer our souls the same sense of beauty and peace seen in wild places.
At Seeds Wilderness Therapy, retreat is the first part of our slogan (Retreat. Restore. Revive.) and drives many of our practices. We retreat into the mountains to find the sense of peace and beauty that our lives desperately lack.
Retreat does many things at the heart level that allow restoration and transformation to take place more quickly. As we retreat away from the problems we have at home—away from technology, drugs, or other negative coping mechanisms—our hearts open up to the work that God wants to do in us. When we are alone with our Creator we are more aware of the life of hope, peace, safety, and purpose we were made for.
Retreating into nature to restore the soul is not an idea unique to Christian wilderness therapy; it is the very same work that Jesus did with his disciples. Here’s just one of many examples:
John the Baptist, the first forerunner of the Christian faith in the New Testament, was martyred by King Herod because of his life of faith. The disciples and Jesus were probably crushed with the grief of losing their friend when this happened. They seem to have been so overwhelmed with the work of serving the people during this time that “they didn’t even have time to eat” (Mark 6:31). When they hear of John’s death, Jesus not only comforts the disciples, but He invites them to retreat to nature to heal. “‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place” (Mark 6:31–32).
Jesus could have taken them to a quiet place in someone’s home or to the temple, but He didn’t. I propose to you that this is because nature has a supernatural effect on the heart that brings peace and beauty to the situation, something that the disciples desperately needed!
As you look at your own life, I assume that you, like me, might need a bit more peace and beauty in your world.
In times of challenge, I need to remember that Jesus also invites me to “come away with Him and rest awhile.” His arms are there to hold me when life feels overwhelming or full of anxiety. His creation declares His glory and calls to my heart that everything will be ok. It will be ok, because Jesus is at my side.
Follow Up Questions:
1. Where can you retreat to find some peace and quiet?
2. How can you bring your family into the same retreat mindset?
3. What areas of your heart need to hear Jesus say, “Come away with me and rest awhile”?
Dean Reynolds is the founder and president of Seeds Wilderness Therapy. He lives in Colorado with his wife Megan, and retreats into the mountains as often as possible. Dean is a licensed pastor with the Christian and Missionary Alliance and is passionate about discipleship and transformation.