Humility, Risk, Dependence

If I heard about a nature-man baptizing people outside the city, preaching controversial things about the long-expected messiah, am I willing to associate myself? My image, my reputation, all that I work to manage in the day-to-day is at stake.

When I go, I hear the zeal in the wild-man's voice. The things he says pin-ball around my brain. His conviction entrances me. He confuses me. He connects with something deep within me, it stirs, I’ve never had words for this before.

Suddenly my eyes lock with the wild-man and he invites me into the water. Do I step forward? Does my body risk when my mind is lagging?

You are in the wild.

Dependence, dependence is the bread of the wilderness.

Go, in the wilderness there is a man clothed in camel's hair that proclaims the baptism of repentance. You must leave your civilized-self behind.

Trust yourself to this stranger. Lean back, submerge into the water. Die to your previous way of thinking.

Arise, wake up, set your gaze on the new way, for the Kingdom of Heaven has come near.

Listen, beloved, your new way begins with a name.

Follow the gust of wind into the wilderness, follow the wild animals and the angels.

"And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him."

Mark 1:1-9