Wilderness Growth

Isn't it strange that four of the enduring religions of the world (Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism) all have leaders who experienced life-changing events while retreating from the world? In the Christian tradition, Mark's Gospel tells of a wandering Jewish rabbi encountering a Jewish prophet at a river. The rabbi asks to be baptized as a sign of repentance and purification. The prophet agrees but knows who it is that is standing before him. He tries to reverse the situation: "You should be baptizing me, not me you!" But the rabbi is insistent and John baptizes Jesus in the River Jordan. As he is being baptized, God's Spirit annoints him and he is given God's blessing, "You are my son of whom I am well-pleased!" After this powerful event, the Spirit of God drives Jesus into the wilderness for 40 days of prayer, fasting, testing, and being ministered to by angels. When Jesus emerges from his wilderness experience, he begins his ministry with power and great might.

We get part of the message, but not all of it. It seems to me that Christians have missed the major point of this narrative; that is, personal transformation happens in places of wilderness! We need to leave behind (at least for awhile) the addictive culture in which we live. We need silence when all we hear everyday is "blah, blah, blah, blah!" -- distracting voices, tunes and other noises. We must leave those things we have created (like houses and cities) and take a long look at God’s natural creation. Our tradition and our “saints” tell us to go to the wilderness and listen, but we cannot. Our schedules are too crowded and there are too many demands on our time. Ultimately, we are simply too busy to grow emotionally or spiritually.

Many of you know I recently had a great wilderness experience. A few weeks ago, I participated in a "One Year to Live" men’s retreat. It lasted only 44 hours yet the experience was powerful, reflective, and peaceful -- yet it was moving and productive. There was silence, prayer, small group discussion, spiritual/sacramental activities and an invitation for everyone to create a life-mission. It was great!

Looking back in my life, it was exactly these kinds of “wilderness” experiences that helped me grow my faith. It was my time on a mission in Vancouver nearly twenty years ago, Cursillo, the Alpha Course "weekend away," and now this men's retreat. God must be patient. God shows us the way and we quickly forget to tell others how to get there!

Brothers and sisters, if you want to grow in faith, go to the wilderness. Jesus did it, and it really worked!