The Graze V.136: The Wilderness

Dear Friends:

"I only went out for a walk, and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in." - John Muir

Around the same time that the stone church at Mission Farm was being built in Killington, Vermont, John Muir, a 29-year old Scottish immigrant set out into the wilderness. This was both a scientific expedition and a spiritual journey but he found his true calling in the ‘spirit world’ of the wilderness.

In the wilderness, Muir had mystical experiences. He discovered a “divine manuscript” in the landscape. He later became a journalist with an intention to share his passion for the natural world. Muir is widely credited as the founder of the modern conservation movement. He founded the Sierra Club and America’s natural parks. John Muir’s spiritual awakening became a catalyst for social change.

Although, I am surrounded by the breathtaking wilderness of the Green Mountains, we don’t need to pack our bags and travel into the woods. John Muir reminds us that the wilderness is everywhere - even in our own bodies: “We all are only microscopic [creatures].” - A Thousand Mile Walk, 1916

Advent is the season we are thrust into the wilderness. Our ancient scriptures, that tell the story of Jesus, all begin with a voice crying in the wilderness. Here, in the wilderness life is raw and unsettled. The invitation to us in this season and at this time in history is that we show up in the wilderness where there is no certainty. Yes, this is scary and painful but we are promised that there is more and that we are in this together - deeply connected.

How can we open ourselves to something deeper and fuller? What invitation is there for us - for you in this season? In the wilderness we have no choice but to wait and watch for Spirit to come.

What would it look like to brave the wilderness & to walk into this hard moment in our lives & in history? to be alive here? to love here? to listen & learn here? to do this together?

Walking with you in the wilderness with courage and love,

Lisa