In the Wilderness

Good Morning Jerusalem Trekkers,

“Time flies when you’re having fun,” or so the saying goes. And while it’s impossible to have fun ALL the time, it’s probably best to simply acknowledge that “time flies.” We’re almost halfway through our journey to Jerusalem and it seems as if we have just begun. While our weekly lectionary scriptures introduce us to some people Jesus encounters along the way: Nicodemus; the woman at the well; a man who was born blind; and Jesus’ good friends, Mary, Martha & Lazarus; the whole purpose of the 40 days of Lent is to spend time in the wilderness as we make our way to the empty tomb and beyond…

Wilderness wanderings are not just reserved for Lent. I think life itself is made up of different wilderness experiences—some short-lived; others longer than we think we can even bear. A wilderness can be a region uninhabited by humans as well as empty, pathless desert area. We can feel alone and isolated with or without the presence of others; or we can travel about secure in knowing that we are in the presence of the Spirit.

Lately around here, several people have been spending huge chunks of time in the wilderness; trying to find a pathway that leads them back into a saner, safer, more stable existence…In an instant, life as we know it, can change due to an illness; a surgery; an unwelcomed diagnosis; an unexpected death; being there as a loved one is suffering or slowly dying; losing our grip and perspective on life; boredom and unemployment; a request for a divorce; entering the military…you fill in the blank.

As we wander in the wilderness, prayers are offered to sustain us; to open our eyes, ears, minds and hearts to discover a sense of direction; whatever it takes to make that first step onto a new path…and all the while allowing the comfort and care of a loving God to break through and fill up whatever is empty. It becomes clearer and clearer that we must move from a superficial relationship with God—simply calling upon God as we see fit or only in times of horrendous needs; one minute seeking God’s presence and then pushing God aside as we move ahead on our own steam and on our own terms. It’s like putting our toe in the waters of faith, when we need to take a long, hot bath or plunge into the deep end of the pool—to literally “swim in God.”

As I gain perspective on my own wilderness wanderings I am reminded that in the midst of what seems like emptiness or chaos, we are called to move into a deeper, richer, fuller relationship with God on a daily basis—seeking to know ourselves inside and out. Richard J. Foster writes in his book, Celebration of Discipline, as he encourages us to think of our spiritual journey as 3 dimensional: “…a venture inward (solitude), a venture outward (serving) and a corporate venture through our community of faith. This is what draws us into a deeper relationship with God; whose divine love can transform us and heal our poor habits of the heart…”

Let us dare to cut a new path in our wilderness, to reach for the sacred as we are led into the presence of the One who promises to love us, to heal us, to “create a clean heart and renew a right Spirit” within us…(Psalm 51.10) Blessings, Joanne

Super Wednesday

Good Morning, Lenten Travelers,

Since yesterday was Super Tuesday, this must be Super Wednesday! For some of us it was Fat Tuesday—Mardi Gras…a day of last indulgences—celebrating in grand style for one last day, before embarking on our Lenten journey that leads us to Easter morning. Someone suggested that Fat Tuesday needed to be renamed, Fat-Head Tuesday, in reference to Super Tuesday’s political ventures! :) One of the best things about Super Wednesday is that you don’t have to head out to the polls; or endure the all night political pundits. You won’t be bombarded by all the noise and party-line speeches filled with political rhetoric as they try to convince us he or she is the best candidate.

But wait a minute…I believe all the presidential candidates actually saw their shadows yesterday and it does look like their will be at least 6 more weeks of primaries and fierce, down to the wire campaigning! :)

So allow me to invite you to experience another kind of Super Wednesday where you can gain strength for the journey…not just strength to endure the political brouhaha, but a kind of strength that will give you all that you need for living each day to its fullest. Ash Wednesday is super in its own way. It’s not filled with glitz & glamour nor is it a day for loud and raucous celebrations. It’s the onset of 40 days, not counting Sundays, of personal introspection…going where so many of us are reluctant to go.

I suppose our reluctance is based on the uneasiness and maybe fear of what we will discover; not liking what we might see. So it’s important to realize that it doesn’t have to be that way. For no matter what we may learn about ourselves; or what we may have to face about ourselves; no matter how uncomfortable we may become; no matter the struggle, or how difficult the pain or strong the desire to flee from ourselves, there is hope. There is hope in the midst of whatever we discover or what we have always known about ourselves. God is that hope God not only walks with us every step of the way, God desires to remove all fear, guilt or shame. God is there to take our hand and lead us from darkness into God’s marvelous light with the dawn of each new day.

Ash Wednesday invites us to a time of worship, gathering together as God’s people for a time of quiet reflection and are signed with the ashen cross on our foreheads. As we receive this symbol of being claimed by God and marked for God’s purposes, we will hear one of two declarations, “You are dust and to dust you shall return;” “Repent and believe the Gospel…” Two phrases that allow us to remember our humble beginnings and also offer us hope for the future found in the promise of eternal life—living FOREVER with God—as we read in scripture.

Hmmmm…does that makes us all “marked” men, women & children? Does that mean there’s a bounty on our heads? Doesn’t sound very inviting…where’s the hope in that? Who wants that? Maybe we all do…after all, the bounty has already been paid and we are forgiven and free…
Thanks be to God…

Blessings, Joanne