The Story of The Wilde

"I'm tired." "I'm busy." These seem to be our go-to responses when someone asks how we are doing. We live in an ever-connected culture always asking more of us and our time. Yes, we may be more connected than ever, but we've lost a many good thing along the way. We're exhausted. Our connections are frivolous and manipulative: we've misdefined presence; lost purpose and our most meaningful relationships look like double tapping on glass. It's all been left on the cutting room floor in an effort to please others, find acceptance and seek identity. But what we've really done is set our life and calling upon a sloppy foundation. 

Don't get me wrong, connection is the language I speak. However, connection is like speaking; you can't speak until you first listen, and you can't truly connect until you've first sought disconnection. Regardless of whether you're an introvert or extrovert, it's how we were created.

Over the past decade of my life, I've experienced incredible opportunities and depressing losses. Much of how I had built my life and identity growing up was upon the acceptance or inevitable rejection by people. Lacking a deeply-held identity or purpose, I connected frantically with others and used people in an effort to fill my lack. I didn’t know how to handle pain or fear—much less face it. 

So when it all came crashing down, I felt isolated, lost and confused. It seemed I had lost everything; not just my purpose, but a large part of my identity. Thankfully, someone was watching over me. Not knowing what to do next, I found myself looking at the lifestyle of successful people. The search started and ended with Jesus. Whether you like the guy or not, you have to admit he was successful at fulfilling his purpose. When I observed Jesus' lifestyle, I couldn't help but be surprised to see him, during the peak of his ministry, get away to a lonely place. For Jesus, his purpose was intrinsically connected to his Father. So he consistently disconnected from the people he was serving to re-connect and remind himself of why he was doing it all and who he was apart from their opinions. Through these times of solitude Jesus was able to love people more intimately and act compassionately with confidence, knowing what he was doing aligned with his purpose.

This is the rhythm I want to pattern my life after.

Since this revelation, I've encountered many wilderness moments; some lasting a day, others years. From these experiences, I've grown to value and understand rhythmic solitude and feel passionately about creating spaces where others can find it.

The answer to our society's need for greater connection is purposeful presence through disconnection; one that realigns our identity and purpose yearly, quarterly, monthly, weekly and daily to bring inner peace and form personal identity and purpose, disconnected from the praise or criticism of others. This generation will be one who live at greater peace amongst chaos and in deep connection with God, others and ourselves.

Through stories and helpful resources, I hope to help you understand, value and seek disconnection in order for you to know God and yourself more intimately, have richer relationships and take confident, compassionate action.

As your Wilderness Guide I do caution you: seeking this lifestyle isn't easy and you will encounter many roadblocks along the way. It will expose pain, fear and anxiety along with the inner workings of your heart, but it will carry you through to fulfilling your greatest purpose.

Sincerely,

Your Wilde(rness) Guide
Paul Tellefsen