---
title: The Outdoor Son of God
description: In Trail Life, boys leave the whirling world of daily duties and digital distractions to join mentors & fathers in the outdoors to learn leadership skills.
---

[Trail Life USA Blog ](https://blog.traillifeusa.com)

# [The Outdoor Son of God](https://blog.traillifeusa.com/the-outdoor-son-of-god)

 Written by [Stephen Ashton](https://blog.traillifeusa.com/author/stephen-ashton) | Mar 4, 2020

*"Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray."*  
Luke 5:16

My master was a Man, who knew  
The rush of rain, the drip of dew,  
The wistful whisper of the breeze,  
Night's magic and its mysteries.

He was a Man of sun and stars,  
He knew the Pleiades and Mars,  
That star-trail called the Milky Way;  
The crescent moon, the dawn, the day.

His feet were stained by dusty ways,  
His cheeks were brown as autumn days;  
His skin it had the look of one  
Who knew the blazing balm of sun.

He walked alone upon the sea,  
Spake peace to wave-washed Galilee;  
To Him there were no sweeter tones  
Than water washing over stones,

To Him no splendid symphony  
Like murmuring, blue Galilee.  
The sea and tree, the star and sod;  
He was the Outdoor Son of God.

-William L. Stidger

It seems much of Jesus ministry occurred in the outdoors. Stories about fish, birds, boats, seeds, seas, and trees abound. Often in Scripture, **we witness Jesus removing himself from the bustle of daily life to escape to the wilderness and connect with his father.** Luke 5:16 says that "Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.*" *In Matthew 14:23, after he dismisses the crowds, Jesus "went up on the mountain by himself to pray" and [connect with his father](https://blog.traillifeusa.com/christmas-masculinity). 

It is after a night of prayer in the wilderness, that Jesus climbs a mountain with twelve ordinary men whose lives are changed forever when they are commissioned and designated as apostles (Mk 3:13 and Lk 6:13, Matt 10:1).

At the end of his earthly ministry, as the crucifixion approaches, we find Jesus praying on the Mount of Olives (Lk 22:39-42). It seems that in the wilderness, Jesus was able to listen more clearly, gain new insights, and [find courage and strength](https://blog.traillifeusa.com/courageous-manhood) to fulfill the will of his father.

**In Trail Life, boys regularly leave the whirling world of daily duties and digital distractions behind.** **They join with their [mentors and fathers](https://blog.traillifeusa.com/mentorship-fatherly-affirmation-and-trail-life-usa) in the outdoors where relationships form naturally, time seems to slow, and boys are able to listen, connect, and grow.**

**Make regular time to intentionally get away, to connect, and to grow.  Find a Troop near you or Start one Today!**

<http://www.TrailLifeUSA.com>

Thanks to Greg Olsen for allowing us to use his painting , "Cast Your Nets on the Right Side." Order this painting and find more of Greg's work [here](https://www.gregolsen.com/gallery?focus=christian).

<https://www.gregolsen.com/gallery/awesome-wonder><https://www.gregolsen.com/gallery/in-the-world-but-not-of-the-world><https://www.gregolsen.com/gallery/cast-your-net-on-the-right-side>

 

[View full post](https://blog.traillifeusa.com/the-outdoor-son-of-god)

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