Nature. It’s beautiful, relaxing, expansive, awe-inspiring, and rejuvenating. It’s also full of bugs, annoying rain, hot or cold weather, dangerous animals, and can be exhausting. When you focus on the latter, it’s easy to see why so many people choose to stay indoors rather than brave the wilderness. But outside is so important, and as Catholics we would be missing an important opportunity if we ignored it.
Spiritual Journey
If you watch nature people on TV or social media, they often speak about some sort of spirituality. Usually what they describe has something to do with “energy” and can be downright paganism when they speak about spirits or gods. They’re incorrect to believe that these creatures within nature are themselves divine. There are no spirits of nature and no gods within trees or mountains. But there is something incredible that we can see, and that is a work of art.
But why do we feel some sort of spiritual experience? Because we are reconnecting to something good, God’s Creation. He created everything, from the tiniest atom to the largest universe. In nature He created everything from the tiniest bug crawling on the ground to the largest redwood. To be in the midst of nature is to be in the midst of God’s artwork, His masterpiece, His divine work. We can grow so much closer to God, and learn so much from Him while out in the woods.
Learning From His Creation
But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.
Job 12:7-10
Animals and plants do not have free will like us. They were not created to choose a life in God. They were made simply to exist and do what they were made to do. God created each and every form of life with a purpose, and when you explore nature you see what these creatures were made for. Animals consume plants or other animals. Plants make carbon dioxide and sunlight into food and energy. When you observe nature, you see that everything seems to be connected and depend on each other.
God, the infinitely wise and infinitely powerful Creator, has created a beautiful work of art with our world. Each intricate detail that connects with other intricate details points toward the divine intelligence of God. When you are in the woods, listening to the trees blow in the wind, you are in the midst of creation. When you gaze upon an awe inspiring sunset, you are gazing upon the beauty of God’s power.
Looking upon the ordered power of God can inform us of many things. We can learn patterns and learn the order of creation. Or we can be inspired by the Holy Spirit to have direction and order in our own lives. What we may learn often depends on the individual. Many saints and theologians see nature as an incredible teaching tool, including St Augustine, who describes it as “The Book of Nature.”
Nature Calms Us
Being amongst the order and beauty of God’s artwork can have a calming effect. In our daily stressful lives, we’re constantly under the pressure of performing for others, or we’re trying to force our own order and will. In the modern concrete jungle, we’re overwhelmed with human corruption. In the cubicle of heartless corporate environments, we’re faceless drones completing unimportant work. The modern world was not made to glorify God or spend any time in His creation. The modern world was created for human desires and self indulgence. It’s no wonder more and more people are stressed.
But when you’re able to escape the modern world and place yourself in the warm embrace of wilderness, you see how God’s creation far surpasses human innovation. Nothing people can do can ever compare. Nature helps us look upward toward the awesome power of God, and away from ourselves. It is humbling, while also full of pleasing beauty. When our minds and hearts are reoriented in this way, we feel good. We feel calm, happy, focussed, rested, and many other great feelings.
The Sacredness of Nature
Every part of nature, from the harshest deserts to the calmest brooks, can be seen as an icon of Our Creator. Every part of our world is designed to bring our minds to God, and to help us realize His power, and also His beauty.
The sacredness of nature has been expressed by many saints and popes, including our current pope Francis and the last two popes, Benedict XVI and John Paul II.
St John of the Cross saw some divine beauty, power, and wisdom in nature. He would often lead friars out into nature so that they could be alone and contemplate it more, in prayer. He also had a grotto which he loved intensely, and would spend his spare time there.
If you are inspired to seek more time in nature, you may find places like this in your exploration. Some places are more inspiring, more calming, and makes us want to be there. To be clear, created things themselves do not have their own spiritual power. This feeling comes from the Holy Spirit, and it is an invitation to contemplate God more. I would encourage people to find their own grottos like St John of the Cross, which may not be a grotto, but could be a clearing, stream, waterfall, any number of landmarks in nature.
Get Out There
So this summer, make sure you spend some time outside. Find a new favorite spot to go to. Hike a trail with some friends or yourself. Go camping, or spend a day at the park. We all need to be outside, it’s crucial to our Catholic life!