Wilderness Wandering
The season of Lent has begun once again with the gospel story of Jesus wandering in the wilderness after his baptism. Are you experiencing a season of wilderness wandering this Lent. As you look past Lent into planning for Easter, are you ‘not ready’, uncertain, anxious or simply exhausted? We are living in a chaotic time, and it is difficult to stay grounded in God’s love.
As I engage in my daily walks this Lent, with the time change and the lengthening of daylight in the Pacific Northwest, I have been deliberate about paying attention to my surroundings. I have noticed not only the abundant flocks of Northern Geese flying overhead but the various pairs of Geese making a home along the bike path. I smile when I see the crocus and daffodils bringing brilliant color to the path and my yard.
For the last couple of days, I have been paying attention to the determined squirrel as I gaze out my office window. The squirrel spends many minutes attempting to reach the bird feeders. He tries again and again from different angles, crawling onto smaller and smaller branches in his attempt to reach the paradise of abundant sunflower seeds.
I wonder…
I wonder…can I learn about patience and perseverance from a squirrel. If I pay attention to the world around me, can I experience Easter breaking through even in the wilderness of Lent?
We are Easter people
We are Easter people, living each day in the abundant fullness of life that Jesus describes in John 10:10, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” This silly squirrel has reminded me that I too need to pay attention and practice perseverance to discover the surprising inbreaking of Easter each day… I do not need to wait to experience new and abundant life in Christ!
This poem by Rob Bell, that was shared in a Lenten reflection by Diana Butler Bass, reminds me of paying attention to the wonder of the presence of God in our daily lives.
Walk, Don’t Run
That’s it.
Walk, don’t run.
Slow down, breathe deeply,
and open your eyes because there’s
a whole world right here within this one.
The bush doesn’t suddenly catch on fire,
it’s been burning the whole time.
Moses is simply moving
slowly enough to see it. And when he does,
he takes off his sandals.
Not because
the ground has suddenly become holy,
but because he’s just now becoming aware that
the ground has been holy the whole time.
Efficiency is not God’s highest goal for your life,
neither is busyness,
or how many things you can get done in one day,
or speed, or even success.
But walking,
which leads to seeing,
now that’s something.
That’s the invitation for every one of us today,
and everyday, in every conversation, interaction,
event, and moment: to walk, not run. And in doing so,
to see a whole world right here within this one.
— Rob Bell
Easter is coming…
My prayer for you as you prepare for your Messy Easter Celebration is that you will spend time walking, not running. I know you have a lot to do, much to prepare but don’t forget to slow down and take off your shoes. May you experience the moments of Easter joy in the uncertainty of life. May you pay attention… because Easter is not only coming…Easter is here…do you see it?
Post script
The Squirrel eventually found the promised land…
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