Into the Wilderness
I go into the wilderness…
My spirit tries to flee the darkness but cannot.
I am paralyzed by the fear that surrounds me.
Silence hangs like a shroud and I am overwhelmed by its weight.
“Deliver me”, I pray. “Show me the way. I am lost.”
Then, Your voice pierces the darkness of my soul. “Remember.”
I struggle to comprehend your words and You repeat, “Remember.”
You take me by the hand and lead me forward, whispering, “I Am here.”
The shroud begins to rise and light illuminates my world. I begin to see more clearly each color increasingly more vivid than before.
Your words ring in my ears, “Remember… you are mine.”
Carol Marchant Gibbs (March 2019)
The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts through Easter, representing forty days that Jesus spent in the wilderness being tempted by the devil, at the beginning of His ministry. (Luke 4:1-13)
In the bible, the word “wilderness” is used to describe a place for intense experiences; a need for food and water, of isolation, of danger and divine deliverance, of renewal and deep encounters with God.
Jesus encountered many wilderness experiences:
*In the wilderness He was tempted by the devil for 40 days.
*His job of faith required that He be constantly traveling. Food and shelter were a daily need.
*People were often challenged by what He had to say and some resented that He professed to be the Son of God. So, there were many attempts on His life.
*And then… the cross.
And, just like Jesus, we, too, will experience the wilderness some time in our lives… as much as we try to avoid it. It may be in the form of mourning the loss of a loved one, or a job, or the rigors of caring for an family member, or a general disappointment in the direction of life. God goes with us into the difficult times of life. He reminds us of our identity in Him… His love and faithfulness… His power and authority. In the wilderness place, we are prepared for anything that comes into our lives.
Jesus was led by the Spirit into and out of the wilderness, but there are many people today who live in a “wilderness” state because circumstances of life have placed them there. They are the marginalized… people who have been judged because they differ in their skin color, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion and yes, even people with disabilities. They are those who have been hurt by the lies of this world that question their identity and worth. Though they desire to be known, they live in isolation because of fear or an inability to communicate who they are. They are children of God.
This Lenten season, offer to God what He deeply desires. Pause from the busyness of life to respond to His invitation…whatever it is. God may be inviting you into a new adventure… a new relationship. He may calling you to enter someone else’s world to bring His kindness and encouragement. Explore the possibilities with Him. God has plans for each of us and we can trust in His love. Remember…we are His.
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