This time two years ago I had the privilege of leading the Ordination Retreat for 7 people, {2 deacons and 5 priests} in the Diocese of Newcastle. The retreat was held at a Holiday Park on the shore of lake Myall about 120 kilometers north of Newcastle. It is a beautiful location with much bird life and sanctuary for a wide variety of animals. Although I was a little apprehensive about a holiday as avenue for a retreat the location was ideal and provided the space for the candidates to spend time in;
- Reading the scriptures
- Prayer and worship
- Silent refection
- Walking and swimming
- Discussion
I was reminded of the retreat experience when reflecting on our readings for the day that centre on the wilderness, places that allow us to explore, reflect and engage with the divine in places like Myall Shore national park, but also deserts and mountains that are in abundance here in Australia.
Speaking with family friends last week, once very regular church attenders, they spoke about how with the business of their lives Church has become less important and they seek and find God on their weekend travels into the mountains of Gippsland, walking and experiencing profound moments of faith on their journey. Others of my friends express similar sentiments, less committed to the Church as an institution but committed to the Christian narrative, although as I point out to them that does not equal belief.
I love camping in the desert. I could be called an outback junkie. Camped at night along the road to Birdsville or the Onadattta track, under the stars with a roaring fire and a good bottle of red or port is heavenly for me. Here I solve the problems of the world and my dreams for our country, for the children of the future, take shape. I say to myself if I was in charge there would be no more of this or that and we would love one another in true Christian spirit. Romanticism you may say. This is my idea of heaven-a place of hope, a space for reflection and inspiration. As I look up at the Milky Way, the magnitude and wonder of the universe is awe-inspiring and the place of we humans put into perspective. To suggest that all this has no meaning and that there is no meaning in life, other than to live for the day, or that we are all simply a freak outcome, seems to me to lack imagination and a sense of mystery and wonder. To even contemplate that humanity has it alone in the universe or is in charge, is I believe an affront to the universe and the world as we experience it.
The wilderness experience runs deep in the lives of the people of Israel, through the desert to the Promised Land. In the writings of the prophets God leads the people into the wilderness so he can speak tenderly with them. The spirit led Jesus, at the beginning of his ministry into the wilderness, where he was tempted by the devil to aspire to status, wealth and power
How do you approach a wilderness experience? Sometimes they can be unwelcome and unexpected sparked by;
- The death of a loved one
- The onset of an illness
- A troubled marriage or relationship
- The resignation of staff person
- Hurt inflicted when least expected.
There are other times when we are called to explore the dark and difficult times in our lives where God may seem absent or at best less than helpful. In those times the space of wilderness may be challenging as we grapple with the issues at hand. A wilderness space is not only a physical place to be experienced but also one of the mind. Wilderness, going into a space unknown or unchartered can be illuminating and enriching as well as disturbing or frightening. The latter is very common I am told for those men and women returning from active service and for members of the police, fire services and paramedics who are often the first on the scene for road accidents or other tragedies.
There is another experience of wilderness that many Christians feel in today’s world, with the marginalization and even the mocking of faith, and the trials we often experience of seeking to hold fast to our faith in these challenging times. Often in spite of all our best efforts results seem minuscule and we wonder about the future. Old Testament scholar Walter Bruggerman speaks about these times, as in part, the exile experience travelling in the wilderness of being the faithful remnant of God’s people. He goes onto say that being in exile also brings hope.
The season of Advent symbolizes the end of God’s absence and the period of expecting and waiting in hope. There is no doubt that we need more wilderness opportunities as we begin the journey to Bethlehem. We need at a practical level, wilderness to restore our tiredness and urban living and busy life. We need wilderness to find the hope that is within us and to encourage us amidst the challenges of our times.
In the wilderness John the Baptist, the Wildman of the desert, announces the coming of the Lord. The power brokers who are both bewildered and afraid challenge him. Out of the wilderness comes the bearer of Good news. A new story is to unfold. He is the pointer to the one who is to follow, Jesus. John’s announcement, “Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand “ is a reference to a new order. John spoke plain and people believed him.
As we move forward this Advent may we use this time to reflect wisely and to prepare our lives for the building of God’s Kingdom, to share afresh the news of salvation, to be the prophets of our times even a modern John or Jill the Baptist. Perhaps even as I suggested last Sunday evening we could become wild men and women of faith, so passionate, that what we say and do stands out as counter culture to the commercialization and crassness of so much of Christmas celebrations in out times.
Our mission this Advent is to embrace what God says is possible, and to believe that what God says is possible and to believe that what God says will be so. The call is to focus our lives on the essentials, to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and to find him in the places we least expect.
God has assured us that he loves the world despite our brokenness and behavior towards each other and the whole of creation, by sending his presence in the person of Jesus so that we can be reconciled to God and to each other. God shares in our wilderness with his presence among us. As we continue our journey this Advent may we be a people of hope and joy as we celebrate the birth of the Christ child, God with us in our times.
Amen