Trivia

In early February, we got to spend time with our friends from the Episcopal Camps and Conference Centers. It was a great few days of friend-making, research-wrestling, and faith-exploring. We went to present some of the latest findings in the Episcopal Church Leadership Project, an initiative we built with the Department of Faith Formation at the Episcopal Church. We’re working together to generate insights into what’s working in faith-forming leadership development in the Episcopal Church. Wave 2 of this study included a deep dive into summer camp staff, and we got to share with them in person the tip of the iceberg of what we’re learning together.

In addition to the findings presentation, we also got to set up a table and talk with dozens of leaders about the latest camp research and why it matters. The conference organizers set up great time and space for exhibitors, including a fun trivia sheet, where each table representative submitted something about their organization, and just like a good ‘ol counselor scavenger hunt, the participants had to walk around and decipher who was who. Our trivia answer:

“Our entire team met or worked with their spouse at camp.”

It’s true! And not deeply surprising that the most important people in our lives were connected to one of the most important places in our lives. The Bible often uses the natural world as a backdrop for exploring the multifaceted concept of love. From the Garden of Eden to the hills of the Promised Land, the outdoors serves as a canvas upon which the stories of love – divine, familial, and romantic – are painted.

Plus, it’s Valentine’s Week, so exploring the Creator of all that is wild who is also the Creator of all forms of love, feels like a fun venture. So, here we go, let’s explore the Bible’s connection between love and the outdoors.

 Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life.
PSALM 23:6 MSG

Love Born in a Garden (Genesis 1)

The very first love story in the Bible unfolds in a garden, a paradise created by God. Adam and Eve’s love for each other, and their relationship with God, is intrinsically linked to the lush, unspoiled environment they inhabit. This idyllic setting mirrors the innocence of their connection, a love that is tragically tested and ultimately broken, leading to their expulsion from the garden.

Love as Vast as the Sky (Psalms, Isaiah)

The Bible frequently uses natural imagery to describe God’s love for humanity. His love is as vast as the sky, as deep as the ocean, and as enduring as the mountains. The Psalms, in particular, are filled with poetic verses that compare God’s love to the steadfastness of the sun (Ps. 136), the life-giving rain (Ps. 68), and the beauty of the stars (Ps. 19 & 147).

Love in the Landscape (Ruth, 1 Samuel, Song of Songs)

The stories of the Bible are often set against the backdrop of ordinary landscapes – fields, vineyards, hillsides. These settings become the stage for everyday expressions of love: Ruth’s unwavering loyalty to her mother-in-law, David’s care for his sheep, the passion between Solomon and his beloved in the Song of Songs. These stories remind us that love is not confined to grand gestures or extraordinary circumstances, but can be found in the simple moments of life, amidst the beauty of the natural world.

Love as a Force of Nature (Ezekiel)

The Bible also portrays love as a powerful force, akin to the forces of nature. Throughout Scripture metaphors flow about God and God’s love being like _________ – most often a connection to the wild places in the natural world. It can be as gentle as a spring breeze or as fierce as a raging storm.

Finding Love Outside

The Bible’s connection between love and the outdoors invites us to seek a deeper understanding of both, which makes what you do and where you do it so consequential. Perhaps for yourself, your staff teams, your campers, and their families, by spending time in the wild, we can gain a greater appreciation for the beauty and power of love in all its forms. Don’t shy away from what’s wild about your camp, and what’s wild in you. Whatever the relationship, the natural world can provide a space for these loves to grow and deepen. Love is wild.

How have the outdoors inspired your understanding of love? Can you recall a time when you felt a deep connection with someone while spending time outdoors? What lessons can we learn from the Bible’s use of natural imagery to describe love?

Comment below, share with your staff team, and maybe even save this for summer staff for devotions with campers!