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