Characteristics of God: Moving my body outside helps me hear from God best

I find it fascinating that everyone encounters God while doing different things.Yes, prayer and time in the Word are some things that will “work” for all Christians, but I’m learning there are other activities you can do to sense his tangible presence and hear his voice speaking to you better.

One friend I know paints and says it makes her feel close to God. Not me.

One person said they dance, and it helps them encounter God. Nope, not me either.

A well known Christian musician was quoted in an article, saying she felt God’s nearness while penning lyrics for her worship songs. Ah, no. Again, I cannot relate.

But, being outside, with my body in motion? Yes! That is a way that makes me feel close to God and allows me to hear him best.

I think it’s because nature’s pace is slower than my natural hustle pace. (If you know anything about the Enneagram, then you’ll know where I’m coming from as a type three!) So, when I go outside, it has a calming effect on my mind. And, since I’m not at home seeing a pile of laundry to fold or sitting next to my laptop with work emails to respond to, so many distractions are removed. I think God is still regularly speaking to me at home, but with so many distractions there I just don’t always hear him. That’s why I prioritize time outside, to spend some time exercising my body AND my spirit. It’s setting myself up to have a proper conversation with the Lord — that two-way conversation style of prayer that my soul craves and needs. It's so much easier for this girl to focus and pray outside! I wonder if you find that to be true, too?

It may sound crazy if this is not something you have ever had a personal experience with,  but I actually can hear God through wildlife and weather. No, I’m not a nut! It’s true! 

A jack rabbit will scamper by me as I walk in our nearby park, and suddenly God will download to my thoughts an analogy about bunnies that is so helpful and encouraging for an area of life I was needing some insight into. Or, the pattern of the clouds one day may remind me of a characteristic of God that I needed to remember. Whether it’s that he is creative, or that he made me unique on purpose just like each cloud display or sunset that he paints in the sky is beautifully and purposely made, he is reminding me of things I need to recall that day. 

I see nature as a way for God to guide my thoughts, to make my mindset closer to his. He knows I feel so rejuvenated, present and calm in nature and thus speaks to me in that environment through the elements found there. Make sense? I hope so! 

God sees us where we are, and he meets us there.

Perhaps that’s why it’s a little crazy that the name of God that has always resonated with me most is El Roi. Translated, this means “the Lord who sees me.” Or, I like to rephrase it as “the Lord who gets me.” I personally find it so comforting that someone knows what it is like to experience life as me. God literally walks every day in my shoes. 

He knows exactly what it is like to be Mark’s wife.

He knows exactly what it is like to be the owner of my two businesses.  

He knows exactly what it is like to be the introvert that I am.

He knows exactly what it is like to be a friend to so-and-so, or in the family I was born into.

No one else on this planet can know accurately what living my life is like. They might get a pretty, curated glimpse of it on Instagram, but in reality, no one can fully know the whole picture of my life — no one but God, that is. 

It’s just so nice to know someone gets me. He knows why that comment hurt me. He knows why I reacted a certain way. He knows why I was disappointed about that thing. He knows my deepest dreams and desires. I’m so thankful to have a God who not only sees all the things I do that may go unnoticed and unappreciated, but also that I have a God who understands what it is like to be me. 

Circling back to where I mentioned moving outside, I have some fun homework for you! I actually have an episode called “Prayers For Working Out” on my Christian podcast, The Intuitive Eating with Jesus Podcast. I share some things I pray before, during and after a workout to help invite the Lord into my time exercising. It truly makes fitness 800% more enjoyable when you chat with God as you move your body! 

Tell me below — what is your favorite way to move outside? I like to run, but I LOVE to walk! So, my answer would be going for a walk on a hot summer day!