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John the Baptist: a portrait in solitude

John the Baptist and Jesus were so well grounded in their relationships with God that they found they had to withdraw from the world to reconnect with God. Their faith was strengthened when they were alone with God.
Yet, I am not sure that this is the case for each of us. If we are not strong in our faith walk, I am not convinced that being alone helps. I know I need the church, the body of believers to keep my faith alive, be it in corporate worship, studying scripture, comforting one another, and supporting one another ("wherever two or three are gathered in my name" rings true for me.) I am sure that author Havercamp is in any was suggesting that being alone with God as an act of resistance that we do not need the body of believers to uphold us. But I do believe that sometimes the body, the Church, does not always help.  There are churches, like those to whom Paul wrote letters in the New Testament, that are toxic to some believers. Sometimes we are called out of the body to re-evaluate, to strengthen our own relationship with God. It is counter-intuitive to me but perhaps that is exactly what Havercamp is saying, that calling out of the body of Christ is revolutionary and just what we need to do to help our corner of God's world reform and repent and get back on track.

This year's PCUSA Lenten reflection is about the prophets. A writing by Jodi Craiglow from earlier this month:
God has called me to a bare existence. I live in the wilderness. I eat bugs. I wear the garments of the poor. I baptize people. I’m a visible reminder that we Israelites need to make some drastic changes. God doesn’t call us to comfort, soaking up the spiritual blessings of our forefathers. God calls us to get rid of whatever keeps us from walking in paths of righteousness. I’m clearing the way for God’s deliverer — who happens to be my cousin.
He visited today. I was waist-deep in the Jordan, and he asked me to baptize him. I’ve read Scripture. He is God’s anointed, the Holy One of Israel. I’m not worthy to tie his shoes, but he wanted me to cleanse him.
So, righteousness will be fulfilled through humility. Things are about to change.
Prayer: Jesus, help me follow your humility. Help me to get rid of whatever blocks your path of righteousness in my life. https://www.presbyterianmission.org/today/2017/03/06/lenten-reflection-mon-march-6-john-baptist/

Comments

  1. JudiMarch 19, 2018 at 9:42 AM

    Above is what I wrote early this morning. But what just occurred to me as I read a devotional based on next Sunday's scripture readings, as we draw closer to Holy Week, is that perhaps crowds are not helpful. Certainly we thrill at Palm Sunday, as our Lord rides into Jerusalem to adulation. That adulation does not even last the week. The crowds are the ones that get riled up and no one, not even one of the twelve is bold enough to stand up to them. Perhaps, retreating from the crowds is indeed the only proper response? What do you think?

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