Finding Hope and Community in the Wilderness
Summary
In our gathering today, we brought our full selves—our joys and sorrows, hopes and doubts—trusting that God is doing something new among us. We reflected on the wilderness, both as a physical place in the story of Exodus and as a metaphor for our own spiritual journeys, especially during Lent. The wilderness in scripture is not a safe or comfortable place; it is a place of uncertainty, danger, and vulnerability, far removed from the security of empire. Yet, it is precisely in this desolate place that God promises to make a way, to bring forth new life, and to reveal our true personhood and community.
Drawing from Isaiah, we remembered how the Israelites, once slaves in Egypt, found themselves in the wilderness—no longer cogs in an imperial machine, but individuals learning to depend on God and each other. The wilderness strips away the false securities of empire and forces us to confront our fears, our needs, and our capacity for courage and compassion. It is a place where God speaks, not just to the nation as a whole, but to each person, calling forth unique gifts and contributions.
We also considered how, in Christian tradition, Lent has often become a private, introspective journey—a time to examine our own hearts and struggles. But this year, the focus shifted from personal sin to our collective wilderness: the uncertainty and upheaval in our world, the loss of familiar structures, and the challenge of building something new together. We acknowledged the temptation to long for the predictability of the old order, even when it was flawed, but recognized that God’s new thing often emerges only when we are willing to journey through the unknown.
Mary’s act of anointing Jesus with costly perfume reminded us of the power of giving ourselves fully, even when the way forward is unclear. In the wilderness, we are called to care for one another, to build community, and to trust that God is making a way where there seems to be none. We are not alone; together, with God’s help, we can move toward the promise of new life.
Key Takeaways
- The wilderness is not just a metaphor for personal struggle, but a real and communal space where God calls us to shed the false securities of empire and discover our true identity as individuals and as a community. In the absence of familiar structures, we are invited to listen for God’s voice and to recognize our unique worth and calling. [24:56]
- Leaving behind the predictability of “empire”—whether that’s a literal oppressive system or the comfort of old routines—can be terrifying. Yet, it is only in this vulnerable space that we can encounter God’s new thing, learning to trust in divine provision and in the gifts of those around us. [26:46]
- The journey through wilderness is not about solitary heroism, but about interdependence. The Israelites learned to rely on God and on each other, discovering Sabbath, law, and community. Our own wilderness times call us to build relationships of mutual care and to resist the temptation to retreat into isolation. [28:48]
- God’s promise to “make a way in the wilderness” is not a guarantee of immediate comfort or clarity, but an invitation to hope and perseverance. Even when the path is hidden and the promised land seems distant, we are called to press on, trusting that God is at work in the midst of uncertainty. [32:27]
- Acts of extravagant love and care, like Mary’s anointing of Jesus, are signs of faith in the midst of wilderness. When we give of ourselves for others, even when the future is unclear, we participate in God’s new creation and embody the hope that sustains us on the journey. [35:48]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:48] - Opening Prayer and Song
[05:30] - Announcements and Concert Preview
[10:20] - Scripture Readings
[14:35] - Gospel Reading: John 12:1-8
[15:53] - Introduction to the Wilderness Theme
[16:38] - Girl Scout Camping Story
[18:01] - The Biblical Wilderness Explained
[21:41] - Lent as a Spiritual Wilderness
[24:56] - Empire, Security, and Personhood
[26:46] - The Fear and Promise of Leaving Empire
[28:48] - Learning Community in the Wilderness
[29:49] - God Speaks in the Desert
[30:41] - Confession: Rethinking Lent
[32:27] - Hope in Collective Action
[35:48] - Mary’s Anointing: Giving in the Wilderness
[37:55] - Prayers for Healing and the World
[41:15] - Joy in Community and Standing Up
[48:52] - Communion
[52:34] - Offering and Closing Song
[57:55] - Benediction
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: “God Makes a Way in the Wilderness”
---
### Bible Reading
- Isaiah 43:16-21
(“I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert…”)
- John 12:1-8
(Mary anoints Jesus’ feet with costly perfume at Bethany.)
---
### Observation Questions
1. In Isaiah 43, what does God promise to do for the people in the wilderness? What images does God use to describe this promise?
(see [18:01])
2. According to the sermon, what was life like for the Israelites in Egypt compared to their experience in the wilderness?
(see [24:56])
3. In John 12:1-8, what does Mary do for Jesus, and how do the others in the house respond to her action?
(see [15:07])
4. The sermon mentions that Lent is often seen as a private, introspective journey. How does the preacher describe the difference between the traditional view of Lent and the focus for this year?
(see [21:41])
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon says the wilderness is a place where “God promises to make a way, to bring forth new life, and to reveal our true personhood and community.” Why might God choose to work in the wilderness instead of a place of comfort or security?
(see [18:01])
2. The Israelites sometimes longed for the predictability of Egypt, even though it was a place of slavery. Why do people sometimes want to return to old, familiar patterns, even when they are unhealthy or limiting?
(see [26:46])
3. The preacher talks about how the wilderness journey is not about “solitary heroism, but about interdependence.” What does it mean for a community to rely on God and each other in times of uncertainty?
(see [28:48])
4. Mary’s act of anointing Jesus is described as an act of extravagant love and faith. Why do you think this act is highlighted in the context of wilderness and uncertainty?
(see [35:48])
---
### Application Questions
1. The sermon describes the wilderness as a place where we are stripped of “false securities” and forced to depend on God and each other. Can you think of a time in your life when you felt like you were in a wilderness? What “false securities” did you have to let go of?
(see [24:56])
2. The Israelites learned new ways of living—like Sabbath and community—while in the wilderness. Is there a new practice or habit you feel God might be inviting you to try during a time of uncertainty?
(see [28:48])
3. The preacher confesses that this Lent, their focus shifted from personal sin to “our collective wilderness.” What are some ways our group or church can support each other through times of upheaval or change?
(see [30:41])
4. The temptation to return to “empire” or old routines is strong, even when those routines are not healthy. What are some “old orders” or routines in your life that you are tempted to return to, and what would it look like to trust God for something new?
(see [26:46])
5. Mary gave something costly to Jesus, even when others didn’t understand. Is there a way you feel called to give of yourself—your time, resources, or love—even if it doesn’t make sense to others?
(see [35:48])
6. The sermon says, “We are not alone; together, with God’s help, we can move toward the promise of new life.” What is one practical way you can encourage or care for someone in our group or community this week?
(see [36:27])
7. The preacher mentions hope and perseverance, even when the path is hidden. What helps you keep going when you can’t see the way forward? How can we remind each other of God’s promise to “make a way in the wilderness”?
(see [32:27])
---
Closing Prayer:
Invite the group to pray for courage to trust God in the wilderness, for eyes to see the “new thing” God is doing, and for hearts willing to care for one another along the journey.
Devotional
Day 1: God Makes a Way in the Wilderness
In the midst of desolation and uncertainty, God promises to do a new thing, making a way where there seems to be none and providing streams in the desert. The wilderness, whether literal or metaphorical, is not just a place of hardship but a space where God’s creative power is revealed and new beginnings are possible. Even when the old securities of “empire” are gone and the future is unclear, God invites us to perceive the newness springing forth, to trust that transformation and hope can arise from barren places. [27:48]
Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV)
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
Reflection: Where in your life do you feel lost or stuck in a wilderness? Can you ask God to help you notice the “new thing” He is doing, even if it’s just beginning to spring up?
Day 2: The Wilderness as a Place of Transformation
The wilderness is not merely a place of deprivation but a crucible where individuals and communities are shaped, learning to depend on God and one another. Freed from the predictability and constraints of “empire,” people discover their own courage, resourcefulness, and unique contributions, becoming a true community of equal dignity under God. Mistakes and struggles are part of the journey, but it is in this space that God speaks, reveals Himself, and forms a people ready for a new way of living. [29:49]
Exodus 16:2-4 (ESV)
“And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, and the people of Israel said to them, ‘Would that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.’ Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not.’”
Reflection: What is one area where you are being stretched or challenged right now? How might God be using this “wilderness” to transform you or your community?
Day 3: Giving and Caring for One Another in Uncertainty
Even when the way forward is unclear, we are called to give of ourselves and care for one another, just as Mary anointed Jesus with costly perfume, offering what she had in love and faith. Acts of generosity and compassion, especially in times of uncertainty or hardship, are part of the way God’s new thing is revealed among us. We may not have all the answers or see the whole path, but we can join together, each offering what we can, trusting that God is at work in our midst. [36:27]
John 12:1-8 (ESV)
“Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, ‘Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?’ He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.’”
Reflection: What is one tangible way you can give or care for someone else this week, even if you feel uncertain or stretched yourself?
Day 4: Pressing On Toward Hope
When we find ourselves between the loss of the old and the uncertainty of the new, we are encouraged to let go of what lies behind and press on toward the hope and calling God has for us. Like the Israelites journeying toward the promised land, or Paul straining forward to what lies ahead, we are invited to keep our eyes on the prize, trusting that God’s purposes are unfolding even when the path is not yet clear. [34:55]
Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV)
“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Reflection: What is one thing from the past you need to release in order to move forward with hope? How can you take a step toward God’s calling today?
Day 5: Building Community in the Wilderness
In times of upheaval and uncertainty, God calls us to come together, support one another, and build a community marked by compassion, dignity, and shared purpose. The wilderness is not meant to be traversed alone; it is in working together, holding each other up, and caring for the vulnerable that we become the kind of people and society God desires. Even when the way is not fully visible, we can trust that God is with us, guiding us as we journey together toward new life. [37:55]
Romans 12:4-5, 10 (ESV)
“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another… Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”
Reflection: Who in your community needs encouragement or support right now? How can you reach out and help build up the body of Christ this week?
Quotes
In the wilderness, where there is no empire or economy to sustain, we become beings in our own right, not troops or a workforce, man in the mass. We are no longer a member, but a person in the image of God. [00:24:39] (17 seconds)
Christians spiritualize the wilderness, turning it into an internal location, our internal wilderness, our self-examination, our journey through the things that challenge us. Mostly, it's a metaphor in many theologies for wrestling with sin. For many others, it's a metaphor for wrestling with whatever circumstances you're dealing with in trying to follow Jesus and do the right thing, and express your compassion and your relief. [00:23:09] (33 seconds)
The church prompts us to remember the season, preaches on its seriousness, and offers rituals and community to help us make our way through all of that prayer, thought-provoking, personal spiritual exploration. [00:23:57] (17 seconds)
In Egypt, Jews were merely a group of slaves, faceless force workers in a merciless state. But out here, in the wilderness of the long empire, each former slave stands as a human being with others of equal humanity. [00:27:41] (15 seconds)
The oppressed, once dependent on their enslavers for food and existence, are now freed from the imperial constraint, and they are free to discover their own courage, their resourcefulness, and their calm. And of course, they screw it up. They make mistakes. We all do. It's hard to live beyond predictable empire. [00:27:56] (23 seconds)
The way to the Holy Land, the promised land, lies through the wilderness. That's kind of the point of the whole thing. And it's there that the Israelites learned what it is to build a society that will be the antitype of Egypt. Not an empire built on power, but a society of individuals of equal dignity under the sovereignty of God. [00:30:34] (26 seconds)
Maybe the wilderness is where we need to be for a little while. Maybe we need to work our way through it. But if we don't get in it and work cross it, go cross it, there's always going to be this running stuff underneath. So it's important that we venture into the wilderness, hold one another up, and teach one another. [00:33:15] (32 seconds)
The people of Lazarus' house didn't understand what Mary was doing, but she was giving everything of herself that she could give. The nard had to be incredibly expensive for her, and she knew, she believed Jesus when he said, here's what's going to happen to me. [00:35:25] (21 seconds)
There is a way. And it just isn't quite yet entirely clear. And luckily, I'm not the person that has to figure it out and make the way work. I need to join in and help. I need to show everything. But give what I can. But it's all of us together. Community, working together to make that way with God's help. [00:36:16] (27 seconds)
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