The Wilderness is Necessary

The Wilderness is Necessary

Many historical and contemporary persons, whom we characterize as “great,” spent time in an existential wilderness; where they were separated from vocational settings, primary relationships, and possibilities to fulfill their purpose.  In retrospect, these times solitude and withdrawal prove to be catalysts for their ultimate contributions to the betterment of humankind.  Whether someone attaining a mythological stature, prominence with celebrity or an “average” person settling for life’s rewarding routines of marriage, family and employment; each person benefits greatly from a detour in the wilderness.  It is the ideal setting for personal catharsis, ego deflation and spiritual brokenness.

Contrary to romantic images portrayed by Hollywood and the wizards of Madison Avenue, natural wildernesses are frightening and foreboding places.  Each sound increases the heart rate as it enflames low burning fears.  Cracking leaves and falling twigs immediately conjure images of lurking snakes and other creeping and crawling predators.  Practically every childhood nightmare of being gorged by a wild beast rapidly paces through your mind.  These imminent dangers and practical fears, in a natural setting, parallel the personal and interior fears that lurk in the crevices of the heart and mind.  Particularly, after a significant defeat, a person easily assumes any further attempts will be futile.  Surrendering appears reasonable.    

However, the wilderness can also be a sacred space in which a person has a transformative encounter with Almighty God.  Howard Thurman, the venerable twentieth century African American Baptist mystic theologian and pastor, characterizes time in the wilderness as necessary days of withdrawal and self-mastery.  A painstaking inventory yields realization of latent assets; a greater appreciation of dormant character defects also emerges.  Separated from electronic conveniences, a person straightforwardly confronts himself.  There, as he listens humbly and eagerly to the voice of God, he receives divine encouragement and spiritual empowerment to return to his life poised for service and success.

Wilderness wandering teaches resilience.  Survival depends upon versatility, creativity and perseverance.  A person could easily surrender to the threatening forces of nature and die.  You survive wilderness periods as you unrelentingly resolve to pursue your purpose and passions.  History is replete with numerous examples of formidable persons who spent time in the wilderness prior to making their greatest contributions.  Winston Churchill spent several years out of the British Parliament after his party and government were voted out of power.  These years of exile predated his monumental service as the Prime Minister who led Great Britain through World War II and its aftermath.  Biographers and historians characterize this time in Churchill’s life as his “wilderness years.” 

In addition, President Richard Nixon experienced a wilderness time between 1960 and 1968 following his loss in the 1960 presidential election to John F. Kennedy.  Nixon ran in the 1962 gubernatorial race in California and loss to Edmund “Pat” Brown.  In conceding that election, Nixon made the now infamous, self-deprecating and Heepish remark, “Gentleman, think of what you will miss.  You won’t have Nixon to kick around anymore.”  The next four years witnessed Nixon’s retreat to corporate law practice and private life which immeasurably bored him as his raging passions for “big ideas” relating to international affairs burned brilliantly within his heart.  Nixon’s mind was on fire to reconfigure the world in the aftermath of the Second World War, Korean conflict and Vietnamese counterinsurgency.  The debilitating losses of the Republican Party in 1964 when Lyndon B. Johnson defeated Barry Goldwater in the largest landside to date created a vacuum of leadership into which Nixon gleefully stepped.  In 1966, he campaigned furiously and tirelessly thereby assisting his party in regaining seats in the Congress.  With gratitude, the Republican Party chose Nixon as its presidential nominee in 1968.  His defeat of Hubert Humphrey enabled his ascension to the American presidency.  Finally achieving his lifelong goal of becoming President of the United States, Nixon cultivates resilience as his primary internal attribute.

The Clinton Years which saw unparalleled economic prosperity, technological advancement, scientific progress and demographical shifts nearly did not occur.  After he served his first term as the Governor of Arkansas, Clinton was not re-elected as political bosses of both parties in the state and members of the state legislature viewed his fierce ambition as arrogance.  This defeat derailed Clinton’s political aspirations inclusive of his dream to be President of the United States which solidified in his heart after having met President John F. Kennedy.  Nonetheless, Clinton maximized his time in the wilderness, redefined priorities and reframed approaches in collaborating with people from all walks of life.  The lessons which Clinton acquired during his wilderness years enabled him interestingly to become one of the most popular serving and past Presidents in twentieth and twenty-first century America.

Prior to crossing the Jordan River and entering the Promised Land, the Israelites spend forty years in the wilderness as they wander aimlessly in a circle.  Yet, God uses these forty laps to weed out the older generation for whom the Promised Land held no allure in their hearts.  Though they were physically liberated from slavery, they remained captives to polytheism, paganism and culture mores of Egypt.  They complain against God as they long for meat, water and comforts of living in their previous bondage.  They belittle God’s covenant promise of an inheritance that He swore to their forbears.  Accordingly, God utilizes the wilderness period to purge this unbelieving generation and empower Israel to cross the Jordan River into their inheritance.

Summarily, a period in the wilderness is a divine and gracious call to catharsis. God chisels away negative and counterproductive attributes.  In a process of personal and internal brokenness, patterns of consciousness, choices and character that create resistance to personal growth and good emerge.  Wilderness wanderers more clearly see the gold of their unique purpose and individual passion.  This challenging season in a person’s life eventuates in revitalization and self-discovery.