my 'Sacred Pathway'

We're going though the book Sacred Pathways in one of our small groups. The book is about how there are different pathways on which it's easier for some people to worship God. The author elaborates on several of them and gives a small 'test' at the end of each chapter to see if that's one of your pathways. I scored a 28/30 on the Naturalist (one who connects to God easily by being out in nature). I wasn't really surprised by that, but I was digging through my office the other day and found a sheet of paper which confirmed it to me.

I went on a several day backpacking trip a couple years ago, and wrote this one evening:

I am surrounded by wildness and I feel at home.
The stream gurgling around me,
The tree at my back cradling me,
There is so much peace around me, I absorb it and am at peace.

I sat by a stream in a medow earlier and shared the area with two deer.
They watched me, I watched them.
I ignored them, they ignored me.
Harmony.

I imagine Adam sitting in a beautiful garden enjoying the wonder of God's creation and watch as two animals approach him. He looks at them and says, "You will be called 'deer.'" Thousands of years later, I sit here watching them, feeling akin to Adam.

I look up at the trees and feel so small. I am amazed that they grow here, not by the hand of any man, but by the hand of God. What is their purpose? Do they have one? Is it so that I would sit beneath them, ponder these questions and worship God?

Then the next day while taking a break:

I sit here on top of this ridge and again, I am in awe of God. I feel small, I could never even imagine a place like this let alone speak it into being. God, you are so awesome! Thank you. Thank you for this. Thank you for giving me these friends and the opportunity to experience this.

It is so easy for me to feel close to God when I am surrounded by His creation. Other people find it easier when they are drowned out by loud music or flashing lights, in standing up for others or in caring for them, by having a structured worship service or by getting into a theological debate.

For me, it's separating myself from man's creation and immersing myself in God's creation.