Pastor Michelle’s Article

Dear Friends,

In the beauty of the Central Coast, it is not surprising that so many of our congregation love spending time in nature, camping, hiking, kayaking, planting and nurturing vegetables and other plants, walking, watching and photographing wildlife – the list of activities goes on. We enjoy the beauty of God’s creation in nature and appreciate being able to put some distance between ourselves and the human-dominated world. We find, as well, that God seems closer, that we are able to experience the presence of God with increased clarity and meaning.

Over the past ten years or so, there have been numerous television shows (with varying degrees of “reality”) about being out in nature in more extreme ways; shows like Alone, Lost, Survivor, the shows with Bear Grylls, and more. In the tv show “Alone”, for example, participants are taken to an isolated wilderness site with a very limited amount of equipment and no supplies. Not only have they come away from the comforts of home and everyday life, they have no other human being to work with, talk to, or depend on in times of challenge and even danger.

Each participant had expertise, experience, and skills to survive, and even thrive, in the wilderness. The most surprisingly significant challenge, they found, was being absolutely alone, without companions of any kind – no family, friends, co-workers. One participant spoke of the necessity of coming “face to face with yourself” in this experience. In many cases, the situation was unbearable, and they “tapped out” and went home.

In the wilderness of Lent, we are following Jesus’ example of his own time in the wilderness (Mark 1:12-13; Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13), when he was tested in unusual and challenging conditions. For forty days (not including Sundays), we are invited to (ad)venture deeper into God’s world. We experiment with living less with the distractions and life-sapping influences of the world in order to practice living more faithfully with the strength and life-giving focus of Jesus Christ.

You are invited to join in our congregational Lenten experience as individuals and in groups. We are using the book “Walking in the Wilderness: Seeking God during Lent” by Beth A. Richardson. I encourage everyone to read the devotions each day throughout Lent. In addition, you are invited to join the Lenten Supper and Small Group on Wednesdays (February 21-March 27) from 5:30-7:00 pm. You can find out more about the book and order it from the publisher (see links on this page)

In Lent, we are challenged, but we are never alone. The wilderness of Lent invites us into experiences that help us discover and live into our connection with God and each other, and that nurture and strengthen those connections. Let us be seekers of God together as we walk in the wilderness.

Grace and peace to you,