Nature and the Sacred

By Stephanie Snyder

In class, we talked alot about nature and the experinece of the sacred in nature. I appreciated some of the films that we watched that showed how people interact with nature and use it as a place to experience the sacred.

I have never seen nature as a sanctuary until now. This class has opened up my eyes to how one can experience so many different aspects of the sacred just by stepping outdoors. As Dr. Redick showed us pictures of his trips to Scotland, Alaska, and the North East, I was captivated at what they experienced.

I remember his story about seeing a mountain lion. That moment of utter fear and utter respect for this wild animal struck me. To be in a place with such great power and life, to be able to view things with terror, to see scenery that takes your breath away, to experience the elements and interact with the Divine in meditation and interaction... I was captivated and brought to the realization that nature is God's sancutary.

There is no better place to commune with the Creator of the universe than to be out in the midst of His creation. To see the strokes of His finger in a vibrant flower, to taste the fruits of his wild berries, to come within a short distance with one of his wild creatures will awaken the soul and tune you in to His glory and majesty displayed in his Creation.

This class has inspired me to take a step outdoors into the great wild. There is a sacred sancturary in the trees where God is waiting for me to come and be with Him.