Despite our hesitation, Lent is a good time for wandering in the wilderness– a place that naturally causes us to be slow and cautious. If we move too quickly, we might get tripped up, or miss something. Or worse, we might get lost. Then again, maybe Mark moves at such a speed to remind us that sometimes we have get lost in order to be found. Perhaps the Holy Spirit draws us out to the wilderness, not so much to lose our whereabouts, but to help us lose the stuff that’s been holding us back from becoming who God desires of us; to be a people who do the will of God - which if boiled down to one word would be “love.” I like to think this is why Jesus was driven out there by the Holy Spirit – to shed his human armor, things that included his ego and self-importance in order to truly find his divine self. And to be able to faithfully submit to what God is asking of him. Still, the wilderness is strange place to be sent in order to find who we are or what we can be. Now, there are all sorts of wildernesses out there. The one Mark describes here is a literal one. A wide-open space with no Marriott’s or Airbnb’s to rent. It’s a wild, unruly, rugged place where many people don’t dare to go, at least not without packing the basic essentials like a tent or food. I understand why people try to avoid such places. To borrow from the comedian Jim Gaffigan, “I’m not the “outdoor” type. I’m more “Indoorsy.” I prefer hotel beds and bathrooms over rocks and leaves. I like waking up refreshed and not with a rash. I do get why other’s find it peaceful and grounding - nature can be restorative and good for one’s soul. I just prefer those things without bears and chiggers eating me. There’s another kind of wilderness – one that’s more internal. We might call this space a spiritual wilderness. The kind of place we all have been to whenever we’re searching for something, or left feeling alone and abandoned. We wind up there when we’re lost or confused; angry, scared, depleted, or any number of emotions. It doesn’t take much to find ourselves in this space. An illness or death of a loved one. A personal or financial crisis. A bad vocation. A broken relationship. Or just a general sense of dread from all that’s going on in the news. These are not places we like to go, but have to. And rarely do we go there by choice. While the other gospels say Jesus was led by the Spirit to the wilderness, Mark uses a much more forceful verb. He states the Holy Spirit drove Jesus there. Not in a car, as Rev. Dawn likes to say. Mark uses the same Greek word that the other writers use to describe Jesus driving out demons. Is he suggesting Jesus went unwillingly? Or at least resisted? It’s not too far-fetched to think so. It’s a natural reaction we have when we do the hard work of letting go of our ego, our human self to find our divine nature. I think God forces us to spend time in this emotional, spiritual wilderness if for no other reason than it requires us to rely on God’s providence and provision. And that’s the thing about Lent. It forces us into spaces we dare not go, to face the things that make us uncomfortable. And to lean on God for help. In essence, it drives us into a closer relationship with the One who created the wilderness itself. We might be tempted to skirt the wilderness, or turn away from encountering the wild places in our lives. Choosing instead to give over to temptation or to run off with the wild beasts. But if we seek to truly follow Jesus to truly live in our world as God calls us, then we must face the wild; even if it’s with some cautious hesitation. The thing I’ve learned about the wilderness is that it’s really nothing more than what my friend Barry Szymanski calls “a placeless place.” It exists. The ground itself is real. But there aren’t any walls or ceilings. No barriers of any kind to contain us or box us in physically, mentally, or spiritually. Like Szymanski notes, “Everywhere we look is open to us. We are grounded only where we are.” Perhaps that’s why we need to go there. Walls give us a false sense of security. We put them up thinking they’ll keep us safe by keeping the wild beasts out. But really all they did is keep us confined in a space were we spend our days and nights looking at the same walls, walking into the same rooms, thinking the same thoughts. Inside our isolated little boxes, nothing really changes. We don’t evolve or move closer to God. Our faith becomes stagnant. Our prayers become rote. Our connection to God is limited at best. Like a plant in a pot that’s too small, there’s only so much space to grow. God drives out to this placeless place where we are truly free to spread our wings, to allow our faith to blossom by liberating us from the many boxes we find ourselves in. This can be a serious challenge to many of us. One, because our ego will resist the change. It doesn’t like to give up control. It’s been our safety net for so long…we’ve relied on it addictively. Moreover, to do the hard work of letting go of our ego, means we have to it by ourselves. Just as Jesus was driven out there by himself, we too are cajoled and prodded by the Holy Spirit to leave our comforts behind to join him. But here’s the thing about Mark’s version of this story, he reminds us that we are never really alone. Unlike the other gospel accounts, Mark tells us there are angels looking after Jesus the whole time. This tells me that no matter where we are, or what we’re facing, God’s Spirit is with us “to help us in our weakness” like Paul wrote (Rom. 8:26). And so we must never forget that when we spend time in the wilderness, we are spending time with God. You see, Lent is not only a time of transformation. “It’s an opportunity to spend 40 days alone with the one who has been there before.” (Emily Heath) Whenever we go somewhere with Jesus, God goes with us too. Because in Christ Jesus God has chosen to be with us, as one of us. So, let’s go with God out into our wilderness – to find our footing and the strength we need to move closer to our true selves as both disciples of Christ, and children of a loving and giving God. Let’s go with God – to develop our spiritual muscles that will help us stand up to the darkness that plagues our communities, and threatens harm upon God’s children. Let’s go with God – to be one with Christ Jesus who showed us how to stand in the fray of hatred and bigotry to love God, love others, and serve both. For Lent isn’t just some ritualistic observance. It’s a time to let go of the things that keep us from moving closer to Go. It’s about going to those difficult places and finding our place in God’s heart. I hope that you will take the time this season to see what the wilderness offers you – a new life, a new ministry, or new ways of living into your Christlikeness. As you face the tough decisions and tougher realities, know that God is with you, caring for you with nothing but compassion and love. Just as God watched over Jesus as he journeyed towards the cross and beyond, God watches over you and me as we shed our armor and let go of our ego so that we may love and serve God freely and faithfully. “Even if it means going further in the wilderness, even if you feel more lost than ever, I invite you to follow the one who has been there before us. He might not lead you down easy paths, but he will also not lead you astray.” (Heath) Work Cited Brown Taylor, Barbara. Feasting on the Word, Year B, Vol. 2. [Westminster John Knox: 2008]. p.45. Heath, Emily C. Reflections on the Lectionary. Christian Century, January 31, 2018. p.20. Johnson, Deon. Wilderness. episcopaldigitalnetwork.com. February18, 2018. Tew, Ana. Temptation, Wild Beasts, and Angels. February 12, 2024 (accessed on February 16, 2024)
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