Discovering ways to relate to God based on your unique design.
But for me, it's GOOD to be near God. Psalm 73:28
The adventure of traveling to a new place opens my eyes to the beauty of God’s creation, inviting me to come near to His heart. Particularly in the expansive outdoors that seem to capture me with the array of colors, dynamic shapes and the vast size of a space. They appear fresh and new, therefore, I experience God in new and fresh ways. I learned through Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas that this is simply connecting with God as a Naturalist: one who loves God through encounters with Him outside, in His creation. Of the nine “sacred pathways”, I discovered three are more dominant ways that I relate to God. These are how I draw near to Him. And although I often lean into my naturalistic tendency pursuing the outdoors to hear His voice, I’m still in awe of how He meets me there.
A naturalist encounter
A few years ago, I traveled to Bellingham, Washington. It was one of only two times I have seen the Pacific Northwest. I spent the weekend with my new (at that time) writing friend, Karen. Both of us are avid runners. It was no surprise that we would wake up and start my first full day in Washington all bundled up for a cold, rainy, morning run.
Full of joyful anticipation, we trekked up a short path across the street from her home that led us to a nearby running trail that traveled through a park. A trail that Karen frequented but was a new experience for me. She led me along the trail, dipping through the tall cedar, oak and hemlock trees as the leaves transitioned into various shades of burnt red, golden orange, and crisp yellow. The rain fell in steady drops, bouncing off the brims of our hats while we chatted away. Our shoes created a soft rhythm as we found a synced pace.
I paused frequently to pull out my phone and capture pictures of the beautiful nature that surrounded us. We turned a sharp left on the trail and found our feet had transitioned from a paved path onto a concrete bridge framed by iron slats on each side. The trees opened up wide on our right side to reveal a breathtaking view of a 100 foot waterfall crashing onto the stones below. The sound of the water amplifying as it fell quickly over the ledge. Below the bridge, the rushing water slowed as it transitioned from foamy, white waves into a steady stream.
In that moment, I was reminded of the One who controls all things in heaven and on earth below. I soaked in the majesty of it all. His presence surrounded me. I reveled in how one place on God’s earth can look so vastly different and unique from other places He has created.
Draw near
When you are in close proximity with a person, voices don’t need to be loud to hear one another. A whisper is enough to hear the gentleness, tenderness and kindness in their voice. I have discovered that God is near when I’m in the middle of His glorious creation. His breath seems to come over my shoulder and whisper: here I am. I find myself willingly slowing down to walk at His pace instead of my own. I’m in no hurry to make my own way but find that walking in step with Him is the way of peace and rest.
In His presence, no one demands anything of me. There’s no expectations to be met. There is no clamoring for attention. There’s no need for proving myself. As I’ve drawn near to him, He has drawn near to me. In the nearness, I notice His presence surrounding me and I’m able to lean in to hear His voice. The Father whispers words of love, delight and joy to me. He reminds me that He is pleased with me, not because of anything I’ve done but simply because of who I am. A beloved daughter.
And I’m reminded, it is GOOD to be near God.
How can you draw near to God today so that He can draw near to you? If you need help discovering how you relate to God, download the Sacred Pathways questionnaire. It can help you discern which of the nine pathways you can lean into based on how God has uniquely made you!