God gave me the woods. It’s where I find my solitude. It’s where I go to revive. It’s where I can be comfortable with being introverted. I think that’s why I have so much trouble finding solitude here on the race, or at least finding comfort in being with my self. Mostly the solitude I’ve been having has been walking by myself to ministry. I can still find solitude while being amongst people. There’s just something about being in the woods that intensifies it. There’s just something about being in God’s creation that makes what I need more potent. I think it has something to do with my identity in Christ. I feel like God has made Steven Buffington a wild man. A savage for Christ! Maybe that’s why being in His natural creation revives me so much. Maybe it makes His presence more present. It wipes away the distractions.
The other night our team was going to watch a movie over at the hospital where we are serving. The house is about a football field away, and as I was on my way over and as the rain lightly fell down on my rain jacket, I noticed that I haven’t had that solitary confinement of peace and serenity that comes with being in the woods with the Lord in who knows how long? I know when I get home I will definitely answer that calling of being out there. I might even go alone in the woods. I still have yet to go out into the woods alone, all by myself for a few nights, or even for one night for that matter. I know when I do God is going to show up one way or another, and boy, is it going to be intense.
The woods is where God pushes me past my fears. It’s where He tells me to rely on Him quickly and right at that very moment, but yet at the same time He spoils me with my passion that I love. There’s part of me that can’t wait to come home and explore this calling that God has for me. I can’t wait to go into the wild and maybe even show others the love of Christ through what has been here since the very beginning; to take away the big non-denom churches and stages with big lights and retro stage designs and show them God’s first big stage. I want to show the world God’s love, creation, and beauty through what He created. I want to show young men how to rely on God when they feel like they’re out of control of the situation. I want to provide an opportunity to show God’s wild side! There is so much more to God than the bible studies, pod-casts, and small groups. I want people to experience Him as face to face as I have, in the wild. I want to see a generation of savages for Christ, with a love that’s aggressive and wild!
Be Blessed,
Steven Buffington
