Does bonding happen naturally?
The collision theory aims to explain how reactions happen.

In the theory, when the particles of the suitable reactant collide with each other, the particles with the right conditions (orientation, velocity, etc.) will react and form new chemical elements.

It is quite difficult to form $\ce{NaCl}$ from sodium metal and chlorine gas alone. If you have to produce $\ce{NaCl}$ from sodium metal and chlorine gas (which you would not), you would do it in an aqeuous environment:

$$\ce{Na(s) + H2O(l) -&gt; NaOH(aq) + H2(g) ^}$$
$$\ce{Cl2(g) + H2O(l) -&gt; HCl(aq) + HOCl(aq)}$$
$$\ce{NaOH(aq) + HCl(aq) -&gt; NaCl(aq) + H2O}$$

But in this method $\ce{NaOCl}$ is produced as a side product, so I do not recommend using this method.