Why Wilderness?

Most of us don't relish the idea of forty hungry, thirsty days in wilderness.  After a long day, when fatigue sets in, I long for my favorite pillow, a great book, my own comfortable bed in my own familiar space.  And yet, there's a time for everything.  Whatever my tendencies may be, there's definitely a time for wilderness, for discomfort, for spare and tested living, for NOT knowing what comes next.  Whether I want that wilderness or not.  Becoming human, deepening gratitude, maturing in service: I find myself tested, hungry, thirsty, wandering in desolate territory.  I know you know.

Liberated Hebrews cross over the Red Sea--o miracle!  o liberation!--only to discover there's a wilderness on the other side.  They must wander there, struggle in the open spaces, learn from a Holy and Unmanageable Spirit, test their beliefs and practices against grace.  Like a wise scholar says: "It's easier to get the people out of Egypt than it is to get Egypt out of the people!"  Liberation has so much to do with testing and temptation, with practice and teaching, with faith and trust.  The Red Sea is just the beginning.  And a great song to sing.

Jesus owns that same experience--as the Spirit drives him into the wilderness.  He too has a great song to sing: "Beloved!"  He's been through the Sea.  He's heard the Voice.  He's anointed by the Love.  Now it's time to be tested, to do an inventory of the Egypt-places within, to learn new practices.  To claim liberation as his own.  The animated cartoon here is as powerful as anything I've seen in a long while--personal, but connected to a long history of saints and pilgrims; evocative and tender; flush with gratitude and the mystery of life.