February 8: Time in the Wild
I’d rather be in the mountains thinking of God, than in church thinking about the mountains. John Muir
Gregg’s Reflection
Jesus began his ministry with forty days in the wilderness, and often withdrew to lonely places to pray. The wilderness was not a side note to his mission—it was the grounding place where he aligned himself with his Father’s will.
For me, time in the wild has become a rhythm of life. I hike or snowshoe the National Forest around our cabin almost every day. Genie and I camp beside rivers each summer, head to Utah in the winter, and I fish Wyoming’s river canyons with my son each year. These moments of solitude in creation restore me in ways nothing else can.
The wild teaches me to let go. In stillness, I can watch thoughts drift past without clinging to them, much like a river carrying boats downstream. Over time, this habit of letting go in prayer shapes my ability to let go in life.
Scripture
At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.
Mark 1:12–13
He would withdraw to deserted places and pray.
Luke 5:16
Ancient Quotes
Dealing with spiritual thoughts in prayer: You’ll find thoughts seducing you... It likes nothing better than to grab your attention, and once it knows you’re listening, the thought will start rambling, drawing you in more and more, and then it will show you God’s miraculous, sacrificial kindness. The thought loves you when you listen to it… and before you know it, your mind is scattered all over the place. How did this happen? You listened to the thought. You answered it, embraced it, and set it free.
The Cloud of Unknowing, Ch. 7
Keep close to Nature’s heart and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.
John Muir
I’d rather be in the mountains thinking of God, than in church thinking about the mountains.
John Muir
Modern Quotes
We must be content to see the work of God grow slowly in us, and we must not be impatient with ourselves or with God.
Thomas Merton, New Seeds of Contemplation, p. 156.
Journaling Prompts
- How have wilderness times—literal or figurative—shaped you?
- What has God shown you in solitude that you might have missed otherwise?
- How often do you go beyond local parks into truly wild spaces—National Forests, National Parks, wilderness areas, deserts?
- How could you create space for a wilderness moment this month?
👉 Go deeper into this week’s theme:
Read the full Week 6 Reflection: Contemplative Life & Practice