The Wilderness

The wilderness is a meeting place with God.

In the wilderness callings are confirmed and direction is received.

In the wilderness commitments are deepened and repentance sought.

In the wilderness we are molded and shaped.

In the wilderness there maybe wrestling and uncertainty, but we will find God there.

In the wilderness God is there in the quietude, hidden in plain sight.

The wilderness is God-ordained, though we often feel the source is often otherwise.

The wilderness is a sacred place, for there we find God.

Jesus in the Wilderness

The lectionary reading for today's Gospel is taken from Mark 1:9-15. It speak of Jesus being driven (thrust, thrown or cast) into the wilderness by the Spirit. There He would fast and pray for forty days and forty nights and face great temptations before entering into His public ministry. It is here Jesus truly begins His journey to the cross, the purpose for which he came.

This nicely done little video depicts Jesus time in His wilderness experience. A great video for this, the first Sunday in Lent.