Why I Love Nature

Sometimes I'll look at a picture or video of a canyon, mountain range or forest full of tall trees, and all I want to do is book a flight there immediately. Don't get me wrong, I love (most of) my city. But there is just something about nature, especially when it's so large and prominent, that moves my heart in a way nothing else does. I love so many things about the natural world, and I know, this post is about to make me sound like some sort of tree hugger hippie. But deep down I've always known I kind of am, so, oh well. ;)

Here are some of the things I most love about nature:

It's calming.

I've always found nature to be calming. For one thing, it tends to be quieter than our buildings and busy city streets. And okay, intense storms may not always feel calming. But even loud and impressive nature has a calming power about it. It probably has something to do with the fact that nature makes us stop and listen, embracing the fact that we're much smaller and less powerful than we think we are. I guess to some people that might not initially feel calming. But there's something about realizing that the world doesn't revolve around us that makes all the silly stress of life just roll off our shoulders. And who doesn't need that?

It's diverse.

In other words, it motivates me to travel because there's such a variety of nature in different places. I remember being amazed when I traveled to Honduras and witnessed the abundance of fruit trees everywhere. The kids there found it amusing that we were so interested in them, so they made a habit of bringing us fruit from trees in their backyards to sample each day. In Kenya, I loved the unique African trees (the real life versions of the ones you see in the Lion King!) and the immensity of Lake Victoria. The different nature found all over the world gives me another excuse to travel. And I'm always looking for those.

It teaches me about God.

One of the things that always amazes me about nature is the detail found in everything - from the large, fearsome things, to the small, delicate ones. Of course we'd expect that a God so majestic and powerful as ours could create a huge mountain range or a vast ocean with roaring waves. But have you noticed the way He made the tiny house sparrow? Have you ever looked at the subtle colors found in the feathers of a dove? I love that our God makes cute, adorable things. I mean, doesn't that tell you something about Him? To me, it says that our God is loving and tender. That He loves to create delicate things, and treat them gently. That speaks volumes about His heart toward us.

So what about you? What do you love about nature, and how do you find ways to be near it where you live? As for me, I must conform myself with sitting outside of coffee shops and running in the park. But hey, I'll take what I can get.

#2016 #life