(Photo of Katrina in the Judean wilderness, April 2018)
"After his baptism, Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil." (Luke 4:1)
The Israelites wandered for 40 years in the wilderness after God brought them out of Egypt. Jesus wandered for 40 days in the wilderness immediately after his baptism. Paul, after his conversion, went to Arabia.
Where is your wilderness?
It is interesting, isn't it, that wilderness experiences follow directly on the heels of revelation? God's power is revealed, our identity as God's beloved is affirmed, our calls are fresh and clear. And then, bam! Into the wilderness. How could we have been so sure? Why is it so hard? Can I please have another moment, another sign, a boost? How can we get out of this wilderness?
Wilderness can feel lonely and desolate. We may be parched and starving, at our physical or mental limits. But God is with us. "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff -- they comfort me."
Look back up at the picture. What you can't see is that off to the left, the hill drops down into a deep, dark valley. A literal valley of the shadow of death. It helps me to have a concrete vision of this valley. It may be deep and dark, but there is a way out. More than one way, probably. If you follow the valley floor long enough, you find level ground again. If you climb a steep path out, you find the light.
You may be by yourself in that valley, but you are not alone. Listen for the voice of God, calling. It may be the familiar voice of a friend. It may be the howl of the wind, or the call of a bird, or the faint gurgle of water.
"When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time." (Luke 4:13)
The bad news is that there is no guarantee that we will not re-enter the wilderness. The good news is that every wilderness experience offers us the opportunity to hone our listening skills.
Whether you are in the wilderness or in a lush, green pasture, God is there. Be still and know.