Into the Wild

Generally I am not a person who enjoys discomfort. More often than not i would rather relax on a couch and watch Sports Center or House while i eat a sandwich somebody else made for me. I don't consider myself technologically dependent, that is, i do not play video games or spend hours and hours on YouTube. I spent the last few days backpacking around Harriman State Park in New York and i have come to some realizations.

The first, and most important, is: Development is Good.
Nature is great. Exploring the (relatively) undisturbed created order is fun and enlightening. You realize things about yourself, nature, and God that you may not otherwise see. However, it is exhausting and uncomfortable. Weather can be harsh, bugs can be annoying, and the terrain can be unforgiving. I did not find myself really missing the comforts of civilization, such as television and internet, but i did miss sleeping in comfort. Before arriving at our site for the last night i suggested NOT setting up our tent...why? Because i did not want to take the time to set it up and take it down - it was too much work...when in reality it took 5 minutes to set it up and 7 to take it down. Why wouldn't i want to take the small amount of time to set up the tent in order to sleep in comfort?

Human nature has evolved. Comfort and minimal effort takes precedent over the do-it-yourself attitude of past generations. We used to build our own houses, now we buy pre-built, or pay others to build them. I don't even make my own sandwiches (as i already mentioned). This is not anything new, but as I labored over damp wood trying to entice a fire i thought, "why would anyone want to do this EVERYDAY?", "the starter log is the greatest thing ever created", and "i need a smoke".

The Second thing i realized is: Nature is NOT God
This i already know, but it is VERY easy to see something like a waterfall or a sunset and deify it. The sights of this world entice certain emotions and cause us to say words like, "awesome" or "unbelievable" or "incredible" - all words that have serious implications that we may not necessarily understand. The creation should point us to the creator, much like "Waterlillies" by Monet makes us think of Monet's masterful concept of color and texture. It is beautiful itself, but it is the work of a master...and it is the master's skill that we are in awe of. Deifying the creation is a common mistake man has made over the course of history, but it has gotten worse with the generations tree-huggers and the like. Nature points beyond itself to the Master who created it.

However, during my time in the creation, i was cold to it. I understood its beauty but did not see it. I knew where it pointed but i did not turn to look. Exhaustion from finishing school and from miles upon miles of trekking with 50lbs on my back took its toll and what should have been an experience turned into a systematic walk - step-by-step, up the hill, down the hill...breath...drink...walk. So i ask, Did it do me well to head into the creation?

My answer: i am glad we have it this easy.