Why Wilderness?
That’s the question I pondered when I found myself at the beginning of a 40 day and 40 night expedition into the remote wilderness of Wyoming. I had just arrived on base with 11 other students and 2 instructors, so the question spoke to something deep inside all of us. What was it about wilderness that resonated with us, that we would voluntarily come together to adventure into the wild, to make life “hard”, a place where no simple luxuries were found?
It was not a last-minute decision, but a long-time journey of mine. For years, my life had been its own wilderness of sorts. The choices I was making seemed to be throwing me into a wilderness that I found hard to navigate. It wasn’t that I was struggling so hard that I found it hard to keep going. I know some people get to that place in their own wilderness and it is a hard-fought battle to make it out.
My wilderness was defined by a belief that nobody could understand me, grieving losses that I had to work through in my own time, and choices I made to try to ease the pain, distract myself, or run from it all. What started as a place of retreat for a weary soul became a place of isolation and protection from pain. My wilderness started to become unbearably lonely.
So I chose to face my fears and go into the wilderness, a rugged, actual wilderness, to navigate the wilderness of my soul. This time, not alone, but with a group of people. We packed our backpacks full of gear and enough food to survive and thrive. We prepared our hearts and minds by setting expectations and getting to know each other more personally.
For this group, the trip had the expectation of not only being a memorable and challenging physical experience, but also a journey relationally, emotionally, and spiritually. As we learned to trust each other on belays in rock climbing, we learned to trust each other with our stories. As we learned to navigate and lead as student leaders, we faced our personal insecurities with safe and helpful feedback. As we learned our limits physically and mentally, we learned to rise above spiritually and rely on Father God for strength and courage.
It was the experience of a lifetime! A turning point in my relationships. An acknowledgment of the purpose for my life. A wonderful sense of belonging and community. Two of the biggest lessons I learned from my wilderness experience in the remote places of Wyoming:
The wilderness is not just a dirty, miserable playground. It is a place full of adventure, intrigue, and challenge. It pushes us to step outside our comfort zones and experience the incredible satisfaction of conquering overwhelming obstacles.
The wilderness is a place of discipleship. It is a place of retreat for the over-stimulated; a place of restoration for the heart, mind, and soul; and a place of revelation for the hungry.
There are many reasons that I believe this wilderness adventure was worth it for me, and they all played a part in the success of the trip. When we check all the boxes of a successful wilderness adventure, you’ll find that it isn’t just about the sights, the sounds, and the feelings. It is much more than a physical experience. The core tenets of an adventure in the wilderness are:
Character Formation.
The challenges of the wilderness test us to our limits and allow our true character to show. We grow in character as we overcome obstacles, solve problems, and celebrate wins.
Self Discovery.
When we strip away the distractions of all that vies for our attention, we are forced to confront our selves. What I found was both challenging and inspiring at the same time, a necessary quest for who I am (my identity), and what I am doing with my life (my purpose).
Intentional Community.
A group of people that goes into the wilderness will need to learn how to trust each other. Walls are broken down in intentional community. We share our stories, we share experiences, and we build a bond that goes well beyond surface-level friendships.
Spiritual Development.
Jesus modeled for us a retreat into the wilderness to talk with His Father. As we silence ourselves before God, we learn to come to a place of dependence on him for our daily needs. We learn who He is and what He is doing in our lives and in those around us. Searching souls encounter a Father God who loves with an eternal, unconditional love.
Where is your journey taking you? Do you think a wilderness adventure, for you or for your group, could be the kind of jump-start you need? We would love to connect with you about your vision for discipleship and team-building in the wilderness.