The Wilderness

In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea. "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness; Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." Matthew 3:1-3

The Spirit immediately drove him (Jesus) out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to him. Mark 1:12-13

But so much the more the report went abroad concerning him; and great multitudes gathered to hear and to be healed of their infirmities. But he withdrew to the wilderness and prayed. Luke 5:15-16

I recently returned from a birding trip to the middle of nowhere in western Nebraska - the Crescent Lake National Wildlife Preserve. While talking to the ranger there, I learned that an application had been made to make part of the preserve designated as wilderness under the Wilderness Act of 1964. I started thinking about the wilderness defined by the US Park Service - to be undeveloped is to be primeval in nature, without permanent improvement or human habitation. A place to experience something other than the comforts of modern convenience.  What was it like for John the Baptist and Jesus to be in the wilderness? Did they find beauty in the starkness around them? Did they feel and hear the wind? Did they see the tiny flowers clinging to a smidge of soil on the rocks? Did they hear birdsong in the morning and the evening? Did they recognize the raptors overhead or the birds that lived in that barren place. Did they see small creatures sunning themselves or racing to their holes in the heat of the day? At night, did they observe the stars and the cosmos and think about God's creation? In their isolation, were they able to hear and experience God?

The Crescent Lake Preserve offered an abundance of nature and isolation. It certainly felt like a place of peace in a turbulent world. It is a beautiful place in the sandhills with wide diversity and an abundance of habitats and species. Rather than a trying experience of survival, I believe John and Jesus appreciated the whole wilderness experience and the closeness to God and the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the preservation of the wilderness. Thank you for the opportunity to be alone and to experience your creation. Thank you for helping us be undistracted and to listen for your voice. Amen.

Nancy Hall