God's Wildness

He [John Muir] promoted conservation as a means to improved happiness for people. Human health - mental, physical, and economic - depeneded on access to the natural world. To be prosperous a society must use its natural resources rationally and carefully; to be happy and fulfilled a society must be in contact with the natural beauty around it. Privately, he was still convinced that man should not be the measure of all value, that justice must extend to all creatures, and that accumulating money should not become the chief end of living. Publicly, however, he defined the goal of conservation as fuller human development. (Donald Worster)

"'There is love wild Nature in everybody,' he wrote in his journal, 'an ancient mother-love ever showing itself whether recognized or no, and however covered by cares and duties.' And he added (stealing shamelessly from Henry David Thoreau), 'In God's wildness lies the hope of the world - the great fresh unblighted, unredeemed wilderness.'" (Donald Worster)

The more I read about John Muir the more I identify with him. Although I would be quick to point out that the majesty of the wilderness reflects God, I do see how critical the natural world is to my health. For myself, I often feel the presence of God more in the naked wilderness then in any building. However, the sad reality is my time becomes consumed with "cares and duties" and I often do not get the opportunity to renew myself in the great outdoors. Unfortunately, I feel the absence of time outdoors in my life. Physically, mentally, emotionally, even spiritually I can tell that I am headed for empty without it. The outdoor world is so close and yet so incredibly far. I envy the life John Muir spent outside. He was constantly traveling all around, constantly spending more time outdoors then within. Thankfully, I have a vacation to Alaska coming up. A chance to seek & find myself again.