One of my favorite quotes comes from J. R. R. Tolkien, “Not all who wander are lost.” It means that from time to time, wandering is a means by which one may actually find oneself. In our culture of modern technology, we find ourselves with electronic means by which we can get from point A to point B with ease. Oftentimes, we can do so in a variety of means – would you like to take the shortest route (distance), or the quickest route (time)? We can even avoid road hazards, accidents, and even traffic congestion with the more sophisticated models! We prize the options that will shave off so many seconds from our travel, that we oftentimes miss the journey for the trip.
Recently, a few of us traveled through the Holy Lands of Israel and Jordan. As a part of that journey, we ventured through the wilderness of southern Israel and Jordan to the top of Mt. Nebo, which is the place where Moses was afforded the opportunity to see the Promised Land, but not allowed to cross over into it. After forty years of wandering in the Wilderness of the Sinai, Moses had led God’s people to the brink – to the very threshold – of the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham and his descendants. Their wanderings were a part of the journey – not just aimlessly meandering about, but traveling together, looking out for each other, learning to live together as one people, building relationships, establishing a covenant community of faithful witnesses to the deliverance of God. Their wanderings taught them the necessary lesson of what it meant to be in relationship with God and one another.
Similarly Jesus, after his baptism by John the Baptizer in the River Jordan, was driven by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness for forty days. That time of solitude gave Jesus the opportunity to come to terms with his own identity in relationship with God, to trust in God and God alone, and to become more faithful in his own witness to the glory of God in the salvation of all of God’s people. He spent time wandering in the dusty, dirty hills of the wilderness so that he could be drawn closer to God, even in the midst of testing and temptation.
This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, which signals the beginning of the season of Lent. Historically, the season of Lent has been the time for new converts to the Christian faith to begin a period of intense spiritual reflection and study. It is a time when one contemplates the barriers that sin creates between oneself and God, and the divine gift of salvation that is offered in Christ Jesus as a reconciliation of that chasm.
Thus begins the forty days of Lent (not including Sundays) from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday (the day before Easter). For forty days, I would invite you to join with me in wandering – not aimlessly, as if we were without direction – nor with a GPS that will avoid the uncomfortable spots along the way. Instead, wander with the purpose of identifying all those areas with which we are conflicted, or in which we are denying God’s will in our lives. Wander through all the areas of your life where you seem to be most comfortable – and ask if this is because God is present, or because you have ensured that God is most absent. Wander through the aches and pains of your heart and soul, to touch those places that need healing and wholeness. Wander. And know that in your wandering, you are not alone. For there is someone who is well acquainted with all our wanderings who travels beside us. And in your wandering, you may just discover that you’ve been found by the one who loves you most of all.
“Not all who wander are lost.”
See you in Church!
Grace and peace,
