"God's Call".

For the last several weeks I have felt a pull upon my heart. There has been an attraction to the idea of wilderness. This draw has led me to the accounts of John the baptist primarily. I keep asking myself the question. why? Why was John there in the first place? Given his fathers role as high priest in the rotation and the cultures standard of the son following in the fathers "profession" why was John preaching in the wilds vs. the temple?

Some have said that Johns presence there was a rebuke to the religious establishment of his day. This is quite possible as he was very vocal about his feelings toward the Pharisees - those "brood of vipers" (Luke 3:7). Another has said that the wilderness for John was a sanctuary of sorts, it was a place of intimacy and isolation with The Father. It is this idea that resonates most with me.

For me the idea of wilderness is two fold; it represents a place alone, a spiritual existence where one is isolated from everything around them. A place where their heart is exposed and their soul laid bare before the Lord. The second aspect is the physical; for me the wilderness must be found out-of-doors, it cannot be separated from the fields, trees and waters. In this way the wilderness is anchored to this world just as we are while we remain in the flesh.

So what do I make of all of this? Well for now in the initial stages of this "pull" I have responded by setting aside time for early morning prayer - outdoors. As it is march its still fairly cold out in the morning and I cant say I'm enjoying that part but it does feel good praying without the distractions of all that transpires indoors. It brings a much needed focus to my prayer life.

During my latest time in "the wilderness" I read this passage:

Psalm 16:8-11 (The Voice)

8 He is ever present with me;

    at all times He goes before me.

I will not live in fear or abandon my calling

    because He stands at my right hand.

9 This is a good life—my heart is glad, my soul is full of joy,

    and my body is at rest.

    Who could want for more?

10 You will not abandon me to experience death and the grave

    or leave me to rot alone.

11 Instead, You direct me on the path that leads to a beautiful life.

    As I walk with You, the pleasures are never-ending,

    and I know true joy and contentment.

I will not abandon this call; on the contrary if I'm to become what the Lord would have me to be, I must progress forward in this, give myself fully to this pull to draw even closer to the one whom my heart desires. There can be nothing else.

Luther.