Free Write - Nature Communicates

“There is a way that nature speaks, that land speaks. Most of the time we are simply not patient enough, quiet enough, to pay attention to the story.”
- Linda Hogan


Too often, we believe the lies of this world. The lies that tell you, “You’re not good enough,” or “no one cares about you.” I constantly find myself listening to these deceptions that are constantly hurled at me and let them slowly tear me apart. It is only in brief instances of my life when I truly feel alive and believe that I am good enough to run the race with the rest of all these people who seem so strong. It isn’t until I make a genuine effort to seek out my God for the authentic truth that I am able to regain a sense of who I think I am, who God thinks I am, and my self worth.
Earlier this semester, I randomly decided to put on some running shoes and jog the Noland Trail. Shortly into the run, surrounded by trees and brush, I found myself talking to nature. I located a bench beside the path, sat down, and tried to initiate conversation with my surroundings. Discouraged, I decided that I wasn’t hearing anything but my own thoughts racing through my mind. Even while spending quiet time surrounded by God’s beauty, it’s so easy for my mind to get distracted and run back to its meaningless clutter that constantly seems to occupy my thoughts. I suppose it is because it is part of my sin nature to cling to that which I want to get rid of, and that is one of the most aggravating things ever.
Somehow though, while sitting out on the Noland Trail on that particular day, I was able to step out of my own little world experience nature’s beautiful stillness, which ironically spoke so loudly. Once I was able to block out the clutter, God was finally able to begin speaking to me in ways that no one on this earth ever has ever done or will ever be able to do.
Though I felt so small while engulfed in the canopy of the trees, the enormous sun setting on the far side of the river, and the simply beauty of the flowers blooming throughout the forest, I was somehow reaffirmed by them all. Through my time of conversation with nature, I was able to express that I felt so insignificant compared to their greatness in God’s eyes. I remember that I was immediately affirmed that that was a lie and I shouldn’t believe it. Then, I heard nature say, “If you think I am full of greatness and splendor, then you should see how God sees you. He invested so much time and energy creating everything about you – down to the smallest detail.” Though I still feel like it is okay to be humbled by beautiful sights, I now believe that God’s love is infinite times stronger for me than even his love of nature.
Visiting nature will always be an important part of my life. Not only does it refresh my mind and empty it of clutter, but it refurbished my relationship with my God. Though the connection between me and Him is often weak, many times all it takes is time spent in quiet meditation. More than anything, it’s important to hear that you are worth it, that you are a prized creation, and that you are thought about and loved more than you’ll ever know.

Drew Harrell