There is a theme throughout Hebrew and Christian Scriptures about the wilderness. The Israelite people spent 40 years wandering in the desert. Jesus was led into the desert for 40 days to be tempted by the devil.
In the history of the Church, other groups of people, like the Desert Fathers and Mothers, sort out wilderness experiences
When I moved to the desert last year, the luxury Scottsdale Arizona kind, I didn’t realize I was heading for a wilderness experience. I had a great new job with a wonderful sales team to lead. It had a new house and some extra cash to make it our home. I left the gray skies of Chicago for the endless blue skies of Arizona.
We shopped around for Churches and found a home we are getting plugged into. I also sought out spiritual formation communities as I wanted to find some people who desired tapping into deeper wells of spirituality.
I tried connecting with an old pastor of mine from a Church I was a leaders at. We talked on the phone a couple times and made plans to meet and connect. We never did and now he is moving away.
I’ve reached out and explored events with four communities. One is shutting its doors, two are not a fit, and I am still engaging the fourth. I’ve reached out to three spiritual directors, two are unable to see new people, and the third is discerning right now if he will be available.
Through it all, my job continues to worsen, and I am a week away from getting fired or putting in my notice. Navigating all this without a close companion has only made it more challenging. I am still connected to my group back home every week, but that is on zoom. And I need someone to be with me physically.
Leaving Chicago, I expected to be lonely, so I was intentional to seek out deeper relationships. It has been disheartening not to make any connections. This image of Christ in the wilderness is my image for this lent season.
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