Dear friends:
What comes to mind when you hear the word
wilderness?
In our mind’s eye, many of us conjure images of relaxation and refreshment. Perhaps we see ourselves hiking, fishing or biking. Maybe you imagine yourself sitting on the porch of a quaint mountain cottage with a hot cup of coffee. Or perhaps you see yourself exploring an awe-inspiring national park.
But if we were to ask that same question to someone living thousands of years ago, the answer would likely be much different. For these people, “the wilderness” would likely lead to images of fear and loneliness, isolation and anxiety. The wilderness was not a safe, comfortable or peaceful place to be.
It is this sort of wilderness that Moses finds himself walking through in this Sunday’s scripture passage (
Exodus 3:1-10). And, curiously enough, it is within this hostile and unfamiliar territory that Moses encounters God in a profound and wondrous way.
In fact, the Hebrew word for wilderness
(midbar) shares a root with the term used for "word," indicating that while the wilderness may be frightening, it is also a place where we can hear God speaking.
At a time when many of us feel as though we are wandering through our own version of the Biblical wilderness, this Sunday’s text has good news to share. I hope that you will join us for worship online at 9:30 and 11 a.m. You can access the service using the links below.
I pray that all of you are able to find a sense of peace during these difficult days.
Peace,
Ian
PS - Covenant’s young adults are hosting a virtual book club beginning April 1, and we would love to extend the invite to the wider Covenant family. We're reading NY Times best-seller
Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage by Haruki Murakami, a story of love, friendship and heartbreak.
