Have you ever felt drawn to spend time in nature? Have you wondered why being surrounded by the wilderness brings clarity, reduces stress, and revives the soul? The answer is simple: GOD IS WILD.
From the very beginning, God has desired to connect with us in the wilderness. As Genesis 2:7 (NIV) reminds us:
“Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.”
God could have chosen to create a temple or building for Adam and Eve, but instead, He placed them in a garden—the wilderness. This was His original design: for us to meet with Him in the wild places.
This explains why the wilderness calls to us on a deeper level. It’s not merely “the call of the wild”—it’s our soul recognizing that the wilderness is where God reveals Himself in profound ways. Throughout scripture, the wilderness is a recurring place where God meets His people.
For example, God led the Israelites out of Egypt into the wilderness, not to punish them, but to test and teach them. As Deuteronomy 8:2-6 (NIV) reminds us,
“You shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not…”
The wilderness became a place where God showed them He was their provider, friend, peace, and strength. It was in the wilderness that God separated them from distractions so they could depend on Him fully.
David also encountered God in the wilderness. While fleeing from King Saul, David sought refuge in desolate caves and barren landscapes. It was in these low moments that David experienced the closeness of God, pouring out his heart in psalms and songs. Despite the harshness of his surroundings, David found peace and intimacy with God in the wilderness.
Finally, the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness before the start of His public ministry. As Matthew 4:1 (NIV) tells us,
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.”
Jesus didn’t wander into the desert by accident. He went there on purpose, knowing it was a place to hear from God, to be tested, and to prepare for His mission. The wilderness became a sacred space for transformation and revelation.
So why does God meet us in the wilderness? The wilderness is free of distractions, forcing us to rely on Him. It’s where God reveals His strength in our weakness and His peace in our fears. As a wilderness survival instructor, I’ve seen firsthand the powerful personal transformation that occurs when people step away from the noise and meet God in the wild. It took me years to understand that the “why” behind this transformation is because, as Romans 1:20 (NIV) says,
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”
When we study creation, we learn about the Creator.
Life is busy, and distractions are everywhere, but the need to connect with God has never been greater. The wilderness is a place of healing, peace, and inspiration. My prayer is that you’ll seek God in the wild places. I promise you He will show up.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Creek Stewart is a motivational Christian speaker who draws on his unique background as a wilderness survival expert to inspire and encourage audiences. With over 20 years of experience teaching survival skills and hosting television shows, Creek connects the lessons learned in the wild to the spiritual battles we face in life. He speaks about resilience, overcoming challenges, and surrendering to God’s will, using powerful personal testimony and real-life survival stories to show how faith can lead to true transformation.
As a motivational Christian speaker, Creek’s engaging presentations focus on trusting God in the midst of adversity, navigating life’s wilderness moments, and finding purpose through Christ. His authentic, relatable style, combined with his deep faith and expertise, makes him a sought-after speaker for men’s conferences, church events, and retreats. Creek challenges audiences to stop relying on self-rescue and instead trust the ultimate Rescuer—Jesus.
