Nature is for all of us: finding access to the earth
Over the last couple weeks I’ve had extra time “off-the-grid” in nature. From camping in the California redwoods to hiking in the mountains, I have had the privilege of being able to unplug and reconnect in the natural world. After each of these recent encounters with nature, I have noticed I come back to my normal life with more peace, resiliency, and capacity to show up in my different roles. Nature, in whatever form I might experience it, finds its way of recharging my battery.
Many of you who are a part of the Harbor community, have heard me talk about the importance of nature for our spirituality and well-being. I firmly believe God invites us into a deeper relationship with the earth. When we pause and tune into the natural world, we find ourselves connecting to the Mystery of God, ourselves, and the needs of others. When we connect to the land, we often experience healing, transcendence, and awe. It makes sense that when Jesus says “don’t worry,” he tells us to look at the birds, the lilies, and the grass (Matthew 6:26, 28, 30). Being present in God’s creation contributes greatly to our overall well-being. Another way of saying it is: we are happier and more purposeful people when we regularly commune with nature.
So, we know that nature is good for us. But how do we access it across our wide range of locations, weather, physical abilities, incomes, identities, etc.?
Nature belongs to everyone, but like many things in our society, nature has been colonized leaving many of us feeling like nature is for the “wealthy, able bodied, fit, heterosexual, white, cis-man.” There are barriers for many of us when it comes to accessing nature. But nature is good for all of us, and is for all of us.
At Harbor, we connect in an online platform called the Circle. One of the communication tabs we have on the Circle is called “Harbor outdoors (ish).” In this space, folks post their encounters with the natural world. This is one of my favorite places our community updates one another online because it so brilliantly displays how we are engaging nature, God, and our own growth across our different access points. We have seen folks post photos of epic road trips, camping in the backcountry, walks behind apartment buildings, kiddos or grandkids outside, birds in the front yard, etc. And we have seen folks going through health crisis post photos of house plants as they “hike inside.” Each of these posts creatively express that nature is for each of us.
For some of you, you might be lamenting how inaccessible the natural world feels to you. If that is you, God is with you in your pain and frustration. Breathe. Would you lament how distant Earth feels and ask God to comfort you and help you reimagine accessing Creation? Maybe the next step might look like: noticing a house plant, watching the birds in your neighborhood, closing your eyes and imagining beautiful scenery, etc. Or maybe, try looking to folks with similar identities as you and see how they have broken through barriers and reclaimed the outdoors. Whatever it may be—lament, yes, lament—and also nature is yours. You get to enjoy it too. Keep moving closer to Earth in whatever form you can.
For others of you, you might have all of the access to the natural world. Ask God to help you not only incorporate being outside in nature more often but also help others with less access connect with God’s creation. Offer car rides, give a plant to someone, find a wheelchair accessible hiking trail, support a local community garden, pick up trash at a local park, etc. What might it look like to not only tune into Earth but also tune into the needs of Neighbor?
