Thursday, October 28: Where the buffalo roam...

It is so strange to be in a place where buffalo roam freely; where elk congregate in herds of one hundred-fold, where man is in the minority, rather than the overwhelming majority. Driving around Yellowstone National Park in late October, there are not many cars on the road. Only 80 park workers are full-time, and once the snow begins, the season is past. Campgrounds are especially sparse, and the tent-campers are an especially rare commodity. Nights are cold, but there is something especially peaceful in the starry-skied nights; in hearing the wind and rain rippling against the tent; and in the first, blast of crisp air early in the morning.



Additionally, there is a spiritual benefit in living simpler. Modern-day conveniences have filled us with a cacophony of sound emanating from every direction. The younger generation cannot exist without continuous music from their iPods and even in Yellowstone National Park, the Verizon signal comes through strongly on cell phones. There doesn’t seem to be a moment of silence as even the continuous clicking of fingers sending text messages to random places around the country goes on. I say that as I type on my computer while sitting in the men’s room, while plugged into the only electrical adapter available for miles around! We have gotten so plugged in to electronics that we are losing the ability to be plugged in to God.

Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!
Psalm 46:10


It is so much easier to hear God’s voice when we are meditating on His Word, surrounded by chirping birds and whistling wind. People who claim they cannot hear God are either not reading the Bible or are not listening for His voice, instead choosing to fill the time by watching hours of television, surfing the internet or listening to music. Instead of filling time, why don’t we use the time for the glory of God? Each of us has the same 24 hours in each day. Certainly, there are some people who use that time much more wisely.


Is it really boring to return to a simpler form of life? Don’t get me wrong, there are modern-day conveniences I would miss greatly. A hot shower and indoor plumbing certainly would be at the top of my list. Yet, if you haven’t tried it, unplug. Take a trip to where the buffalo roam.


12Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. 13 And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him.
Mark 1:12-13


The LORD your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17