Engaging in the wilderness can bring us down to our core. The beauty of the wilderness is piercing while the raw power of nature can be devestating. There is a loneliness in the outdoors that makes us seek deeper relationships. It brings up our need, our urgency, to be with people. So what is it about the Wild that draws us to our need for community?
Loneliness
There is an aloneness in the wild that strikes at the core of your being. When you travel far enough there are no cars, no buildings and sometimes no people. Even the lone plane flying over may seem like an intrusion.
By definition the wilderness is:
(1) :a tract or region uncultivated and uninhabited by human beings (2) :an area essentially undisturbed by human activity together with its naturally developed life community. (http://i.word.com/idictionary/wilderness)
Wilderness is without humans. We are visitors to the wilderness. It lacks society. That very fact awakens the desire in us as social beings to want to be together when we are in the wilderness. When the sun sets and the last beam shoots across the horizon, our soul longs to share the moment with another. Hence, many times the desire is to capture the moment and share it. In the same way we want to share our wilderness experience with others.
Danger
The wild is dangerous. The weather, beasts, poisons, thorns; so many natural elements are designed to kill or destroy. The wilderness highlights our need for help against the forces set against our demise. We need each other to keep warm, to be safe.
Belonging increases our security in the wilderness. Like the wise Solomon shared in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12:
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
Increase labor, help each other, keep warm; these are what community provides for us when we are in nature. The wild shows us how we need each other.
So take some time in the wilderness. It will rewaken your need for community.
Lead WILD 