Nature is My Sanctuary

Last month, Ryan and I spent a week in Lake Tahoe, taking a much-needed breather from the noise of everyday life and reconnecting through something we both deeply love: being immersed in nature.

Ryan and I have always shared a deep appreciation for the outdoors. Over the years, we’ve been on countless hiking dates, got engaged at a beautiful overlook in Pedernales Falls State Park, and even exchanged our wedding vows at a stunning outdoor venue. Some of our most meaningful moments together have happened in the middle of God’s creation.

I believe nature is God’s sanctuary, more than any church house. Nature is a place where His presence, power, and love are on full display. Scripture reminds us that the heavens declare His glory, the earth rejoices in His creation, and even the smallest details of the natural world reveal His divine nature (Psalm 19:1; Psalm 96:11–12; Job 12:7–10; Romans 1:20).

From the very beginning, God formed Adam from the dust of the ground and placed him in the Garden of Eden with Eve (Genesis 2:7–8). Jesus Himself often withdrew to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray (Luke 22:39). And in Matthew 6:28–29, Jesus points us to the lilies of the field as a reminder of God's provision and care and an invitation to trust that, if He clothes the flowers in such splendor, He will surely care for us too.

For me, there is something deeply restorative about being outdoors. Feeling the warmth of the sunshine on my skin, the breeze blowing through my hair, and the sound of birds singing their joyful songs brings me a sense of peace that is difficult to put into words. Nature is my happy place.

Throughout my life, whenever I’ve felt stressed, sad, or even angry, I’ve found myself retreating outdoors. It has always felt like a safe haven - a place to quiet my mind, recenter my heart, drown out the noise of the world, and remember that true peace is found in God alone.

And lately, I’ve needed that reminder more than ever.

There has been a lot of noise in my life recently. The truth is noise is a constant. Life will always give us something to worry about, something to work toward, or something “requiring” our attention. But there are seasons when we become more entangled in that noise than others. Lately, it has felt like a relentless battle, one that has slowly worn me down.

That’s why I’m so grateful for our time in Lake Tahoe. It gave us permission to slow down. To wake up when our bodies were ready rather than when an alarm demanded it. To begin each day without a rigid itinerary, a checklist, or a set of expectations. To simply be present and let the day unfold as it would.

There is something incredibly freeing about releasing the need to control every moment and trusting that not every day needs to be meticulously planned to be meaningful.

And yet, if I’m being honest, I sometimes feel guilty for stepping away from the hustle and bustle.

We live in a society that often equates success with long hours, relentless ambition, and pushing ourselves to the limit. We’re taught that growth means doing more, achieving more, and constantly striving for the next milestone. Somewhere along the way, it can become easy to believe that slowing down means falling behind.

But I’m learning that growth doesn’t always look like pushing harder. Sometimes, it looks like pausing.

Of course, there are seasons when we must work hard, push ourselves outside our comfort zones, and persevere through challenges to get where we need to go. There is value in discipline, ambition, and doing the hard things. But those things are not the only measures of growth, nor are they the only paths to success.

Because when we push ourselves to give 100% without allowing ourselves the space to rest and recharge, we eventually begin to run on empty. We forget to breathe. We lose sight of why we started in the first place. We become so consumed with accomplishing the next thing that we forget to appreciate what we already have and who we have beside us.

Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve found myself getting caught up in the expectations of life, so focused on keeping up that I’ve neglected to pour into the very people and things that bring me life, true joy, and peace.

Taking just one week away from the usual demands of life gave me the space to reflect on what I truly want, what matters most to me, and where I need to be investing more of my time, energy, and heart.

It reminded me that rest is not something we have to earn after we’ve exhausted ourselves. It is something we need along the journey of life. Stepping away doesn't mean we're giving up or losing momentum. Sometimes, it’s exactly what allows us to move forward with greater clarity, intention, and gratitude.

And perhaps most importantly, it reminded me that life is not meant to be spent chasing the next thing while overlooking the blessings right in front of us.

Sometimes, we need to step away from the noise long enough to hear what God has been trying to remind us all along: that peace is not found in doing more, achieving more, or proving more. It is found in Him and spending quality time with Him.

For me, sometimes all it takes is a trail beneath my feet, the beauty of His creation surrounding me, and the quiet reminder that I don't have to have everything figured out to be exactly where I need to be.