When I take the time to regularly go wandering, I find my everyday life to be less noisy. The intimacy of my time wandering with Jesus and praying filters its way into my days. When stressors come, I can close my eyes, breathe deeply, listen intently, and hear the sounds of the trees, the birds, my footsteps, and the benefits of time spent with God.
When through the woods, and forest glades I wander And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee -How great Thou art, how great Thou art! (Stuart K Hine, “How Great Thou Art”)
Have you ever opened your photo app on your phone and taken note of what you snap pictures of most?
For me, besides my dog (he’s so cute!), it is trails. That’s right, I have a slew of pictures of footpaths! There are trails in Michigan, trails in Alaska, trails in Maine, trails in Colorado. You name the place, if I have been there, I have a trail picture from there. Wandering is a passion of mine, and wandering in new places is one of my great pleasures.
At times, I have asked myself where this penchant for wandering began. But more than that, I wonder about the One who wandered before me, who holds me in His arms with every step I take.
Where I Started
If I think back, I remember beginning to want to wander when I was eight or nine. My family had a cabin in the pine woods of northern Michigan, and most of our vacations were spent there. In those days, Mom could literally say, “Go outside, and don’t come back until mealtime!” My siblings and I could disappear for hours without her having to worry at all.
I remember my favorite pastime was to pack a bandana full of snacks, tie it to a stick to carry over my shoulder and go into the woods in search of adventure. I would follow trails left by others, look for signs of animal life, and pick wildflowers for Mom. I would pretend to be on a long journey, stopping along the way to build pretend campfires to “cook” the snacks I had brought. I’d make up songs to sing to myself and lose myself in my own little world.
I was alone.
Independent.
No older siblings to boss me or tell me I was doing it all wrong.
As the youngest of four, my life was always full of someone else’s noise. The woods gave me permission to leave people and responsibilities behind until all I heard was the sound of the wind through the trees.
It was during these wanderings that I came to know my Creator. I spent time observing the tiniest details of nature. I would do my best to identify each animal footprint and try to get as close to any squirrel, chipmunk, or deer that I was lucky enough to see. I’d whistle back to the birds, hoping for a response. I would think about the hymns we sang on Sunday mornings, and the stories I heard in Sunday School, and try to figure out where I fit in this big world around me. I began to figure out how great God must be to imagine all these wonderful things I saw and make them real.
Where I’ve Been
As I have grown through my years of wandering, my reasons for leaving the noise of life behind have changed. I am no longer going to escape, instead, I find myself heading into the woods to know the presence of the One I feel closest to when I am there. I still look for signs of life around me when I go. I especially enjoy finding heart-shaped leaves, vines, or stones. To me, they are love notes from God, left to remind me of His creativity and care.
But, beyond observing the beauty around me, my time on trails these days is most often spent observing what is going on inside of me. As my feet move along the path below, my mind wanders along paths of memories, concerns, joys, and sorrows. I talk aloud to Jesus and listen intently for His answer. I sing and read Scripture, especially the Psalms (favorites include Psalm 16:7-9, 42:8, 121, and 143:8), with Him, and time melts away.
In this way, my time wandering becomes a time of praise. I feel attuned to my Creator and His work in my life when I stand under a canopy of leaves, soft earth under my feet, and my eyes turned upward. My too-often stiff and repetitive prayers become intimate conversations with a close friend. And whatever concerns I had when I started toward the woods that day somehow worked themselves out as I perceived the grandness of creation all around.
When I take the time to regularly go wandering, I find my everyday life to be less noisy. The intimacy of my time wandering with Jesus and praying filters its way into my days. When stressors come, I can close my eyes, breathe deeply, listen intently, and hear the sounds of the trees, the birds, my footsteps, and the benefits of time spent with God.
The One Beside Me
I wonder about the experience Jesus had as He wandered for 40 days before His ministry on earth began.
What did He seek as He prepared for the three years of ministry that included challenging the status quo, teaching a new way of living, mentoring future leaders, and facing ridicule from the authorities of the day?
Whatever the reason, the result was nothing short of remarkable. In a time of weakness, hunger, and exhaustion, He answered everything Satan threw at Him with unquestionable Truth and conviction. He emerged from the wilderness ready to face every task He needed to complete as our Savior and Lord.
But, even then, He would often “withdraw to desolate places and pray” (Luke 5:16). Yes, I believe there is something in wandering that even Jesus desired.
Where We’re Going
The original author of the old hymn “How Great Thou Art” was Carl Boberg, a member of the Swedish Parliament (today, we sing an English translation of his lyrics). It was after he got caught in a thunderstorm that he was inspired to write the words of awe and adoration that many Christians still know by heart.
Through the verses of the hymn, the Gospel story unfolds. We hear the story of Christ’s sacrifice and victory. We are assured of His forgiveness of our debt of sin. We look forward to rejoicing and celebrating when He returns. And we are reminded of our humble dependence on His great mercy. This push and pull is just like the build and release of a perfect summer storm.
Wandering along trails has helped me to keep these truths in focus through good days and bad. No matter where I have been, the constancy of earth, and sky, regardless of the terrain, the scenery, or the weather reminds me of the One who is in control of it all. And the knowledge that Jesus also wandered and wondered in this way grounds me, and gives me clarity of thought.
So, I’ll keep wandering. With Jesus by my side, I can always trust that the journey will help me see life a little more clearly, and leave me feeling at ease with whatever lies ahead.
After all, as another great wanderer put it, “Not all who wander are lost” (JRR Tolkien).
