NBPC Devotional Series,

by Rev. Wayne Baswick.

 "Into The Wilderness"

    Little did we know that when the above passage from Matthew was read for the first Sunday in Lent, when Jesus was led by the Spirit out into the wilderness that we too were to be led out into the wilderness.

The wilderness that Jesus entered was the wilderness of the desert where he was tested for forty days and nights without food or water.

The wilderness that we enter is the wilderness of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) for an undetermined length of time before us, to be tested by the threat of disease (dis-ease), physical and social distancing, self-isolation, and quarantine.

I am not sure how you felt this past Sunday when we could not gather for Worship and Fellowship, but even though I took in a Worship Service via television, I somehow felt  'unsettled' in the wilderness by not being part  of a worshiping congregation with the fellowship that follows.

It is noted that after his Baptism by John in the Jordan ( a high in his life) that the SPIRIT led Jesus into the wilderness (a low in his life).  This reflects that very often in life the 'highs' are followed by the 'lows'.

    Perhaps we are being reminded that the 'high' of what is called the 'good life' or a life that we often take for granted is at the least being interrupted and makes us stop and take notice of our values, and our way of life, and that it may lead to a 'better life' where there can be unity in the human family as we reach beyond our self-interests and motives.  In short the Scripture injunction is to love our God and our neighbour as we love ourselves. Again we note the order of where our love begins and where it comes to fulfillment and completion.

    I have heard several people use the word "eerie"  for the wilderness in which we find ourselves.

    How is your journey into the COVID-19 wilderness and what might this interruption be saying to you about your life as you go forward?

    I close with a poem entitled "The Way Ahead" published in 1938 in the book entitled Selected Poems from the Pen of the Honourable Morrison Mann MacBride Volume 1 which reminds us that at the personal and communal level, that life isn't just always coasting along but includes struggles and courage where the final triumph is ensured as we have our trust in the Faithful, Omnipotent God.

Life can't be always "coasting - there are always hills to climb,

And it can't be always sunshine, with the weather warm and fine;

Man must ever struggle onward - facing tasks that come and go,

It's a constant test of courage - and it always has been so.

There are rugged mountain ranges - sort of guarding every vale,

And the climbing's never easy - for the folks who blaze the trail;

There are paths - quite rough and winding -heavy boulders in the way,

But, it's always worth the effort - and it's courage wins the day.

There are days and nights of thinking - when the way seems not so clear,

But there's always compensation - for the folks who persevere

There is need for time - and caution - 'ere we gain the other side,

To insure the final triumph - all must trust the Faithful Guide.

There are problems ever rising - and the thoughtful never shout,

Until they've built the bridges  - over currents clogged with doubt;

We must find the safest pathway, e'er we ask mankind to trod,

And the Guide to place our trust in - is the Omnipotent God.

Keep well, Keep safe, Keep the Faith,

Rev. Wayne