The First Baptist Church of Redlands
T A PE S T R Y
March 2020
Wo v e n To g e t h e r I n L o v e : C o l o s s i a n s 2 : 2
Blessings of the Wilderness A Message from Pastor Shawn
Issue No. 3
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that come from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:1-4)
The idea of wilderness has many dimensions. I love getting out into the mountains away from crowds, smelling the pines and cedars and enjoying the sounds of birds singing, water moving over and around rocks and wind shaking the leaves on the trees. But wilderness also brings about the feeling of going through difficult times, not knowing what is around the next turn, wondering when one will return to civilization. As a young adult I experienced wilderness in this way when I would go backpacking. I would look forward to the experience with excitement and anticipation. It was amazing to go places one could only reach on foot. The idea that you were seeing sights that only a few people would see— the quiet of the surroundings, where you just hear the sound of your own footsteps and maybe those of your companions on the journey—it touches one’s soul in powerful ways. I always felt closer to God in those places and decades later I can still see those places in my mind. But it was hard work. Carrying what you need to live for those days in the backcountry, climbing steep hills and walking narrow trails. Sleeping on the ground and dealing with hot sun during the day and cold air at night and that most inconvenient rain storm. Admittedly, I was generally ready at the end of the trip to go home and take a shower and sleep in my bed. But the experience changes you--the accomplishment of pushing oneself beyond comfort zones and expectations; learning to depend upon one’s companions as well as be there for them. The challenges faced and met become examples and inspiration for future challenges.
Jesus intentionally went into the wilderness. When Jesus went into the wilderness it was a time of drawing close to God. Not only did he face the temptations that would challenge his identity and his mission, he found in the wilderness the strength and clarity of visions to bring the message of the Kingdom of the Heavens. As we enter into the season of Lent may it be a time in the wilderness where we find challenge and difficultly, but also the strength and beauty of the presence of God. May we find companionship with others on the journey as we work together and support one another. May we be blessed by the time in the wilderness in a way that changes us. This is more likely to happen when we are intentional in our practices of prayer, reflection, study and even fasting. We are providing a Lenten devotional guide, called “Blessed Are,” of meditations shared by members of our congregation. These will be available in print as well as online by email and Facebook. On Sunday mornings we will be on a Lenten journey called “Out of the Wilderness: Encountering Jesus.” Be blessed as you travel in the wilderness!
Grace and peace in Christ, Pastor Shawn
