THE PRESENCE OF GOD

Nature Leads the Way

Natural landscapes untouched by human hands have a unique appeal. Nature is the direct handiwork of God. That’s why in the natural world, it’s as if God becomes visible.

James Wilde (1929-2008) was a journalist who was born in Ottawa. Since 1959, he had been associated with the Time magazine. His entire career had been spent in prestigious offices and the demanding world of journalism. He was known for diving into the heart of conflict zones to report firsthand. In doing so, he had some terrifying experiences.

One of Wilde’s most harrowing moments, however, didn’t take place in a distant jungle—it happened right in New York City, in 1981. He was interviewing a fourteen-year-old boy known as “Baby Love”. Wilde recalled that after the interview, when he raised his hand to say goodbye, the boy pointed a gun straight at him. Wilde told him, “If you kill me, you won’t appear in the pages of Time.” The boy replied, “Mr James, you’re right.” Then he lowered the gun. (Time, January 1990)

Wilde lived a life full of extraordinary events. Yet among all his experiences, nature remained his greatest love. He was once sent to Africa for an assignment, which delighted him. Speaking about the continent, he said, “What I love about Africa is that God is in the air over there.”

Natural landscapes untouched by human hands have a unique appeal. Nature is the direct handiwork of God. That’s why in the natural world, it’s as if God becomes visible. Nature is a mirror of the Divine—in which anyone can see God clearly, provided they have not blinded themselves to the subtler truths of existence.

In modern urban life, people are absorbed in man-made creations. But in the realm of nature, one encounters the wonders of divine creation. Nature provides the most conducive environment for remembering God.