http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post, silence, solitude, spiritual disciplines

I love the Outdoors!

Posted on by kimicope

I don’t think of myself as an outdoorsy, rugged type of gal but I do LOVE being outside enjoying God’s creation.

My Bible journaling really came alive to me.  The verse I picked was Psalm 19:2

S(Scripture, fancy word for Bible verse)- “Day after day they(prior verse talks about the heavens, ie – his creation) pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.”

O(Observation-what I notice about the verse)- God’s creation speaks so loudly of Him.  The majestey, the detail, just the overwhelming beauty reflects our loving and good God.

A(Application- how it impacts my life)-  His creation speaks so much to my soul.  I often feel closest to God when I am alone outdoors just sitting like in a quiet forest, sitting at a lake, watching the waves crash at the beach, sitting near a babbling brooke, etc.  I feel like times of silence and solitude in God’s creation is when God often speaks the loudest to me.  When I allow all the noise, distractions and busyness of life to fade away- then God speaks to my stilled heart.

The spiritual disciplines(things people have done over history that draw them closer to God) of silence and solitude in nature have been so powerful to my soul.  I want to intentionally do it daily and an extended time weekly(like an hour or more).

P(Prayer)-  Jesus help me to be disciplined enough to practice the spiritual disciplines of silence and solitude.  Please remind me so I don’t go long seasons without it.

I had shared this journaling with some friends.  We talked about that one bible verse that says says even the rocks cry out to rock.  All of creation praises God.

“Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds.” (Psalm 148:7-10)

“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” (Isaiah 55:12)

A friend pointed out the rustling you hear in nature. I love that.  I love hearing the breeze through the trees and all the noises you hear being outside.

As I was thinking, it is like creation/nature is continually singing to God of his goodness.  So by sitting among nature, it is like I am surrounded by an entire orchestra praising God so perhaps that is why He feels so near when I am outdoors.  It so takes alot of discipline for me to just sit and be still with no other task at hand.  no cleaning, no planner, no checking email or texts, or not even a book.  I do love reading outside but the discipline requires me to be fully present and just absorb the goodness of God without distractions


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