Christchurch North Methodist Parish: Child, Youth and Family Ministries: Into the Wilderness

Sunday 26 February 2023

Into the Wilderness

This morning, we read 'The Dark' by Lemony Snicket.

We all have places that scare us, challenge us and tempt us. We might do everything to avoid these places, but sometimes we have to face the wilderness and walk through it. Laszlo learns this, in The Dark.

His 'wilderness' is the basement of his house. He is afraid of the dark and when the nightlight in his room goes out he has to venture into the dark basement. There he finds a drawer full of lights. After he finds the much needed light bulb, the dark is always still there, but does not bother him.

Like Laszlo, when we venture into our wilderness we find what we need to make it through as well as God’s reassuring presence.

In our bible story today, Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness. We wondered what scary things he had to deal with. Maybe spiders? (Lukas didn't like the spider in my box very much!) Perhaps there were snakes? (There were a few people who shuddered when Lizzy pulled the wriggly, rubber snake from my bag!) Almost certainly Jesus had to cope with wild animals, being totally alone, and the deep darkness of the nights. After all of that, he must have grown fearless and ready to face whatever truly scary stuff came his way!

Sometimes, for us it can be tempting to take the easy road, to not push ourselves out of our comfort zone, or put our hand up to help others. Perhaps doing something that scares us (like speaking to someone we don't know, standing up for someone who’s being bullied would be a great challenge for Lent.

Let us pray:

Loving God,

Thank you for always being with us, everywhere we go.

Help us to remember that, and that even in the dark and scary, wild places in our lives, you are right there loving us.

Amen.