REV IAN MEREDITH: '˜The sun that melts the wax is the same sun than hardens the clay'

The wilderness in Jerusalem where Jesus spent 40 days being tempted

Many people experience what religious folk often call a wilderness experience.

It is a time when old familiar landscapes change, there can be a sense of boredom, and a time when the presence of God is not felt anymore, and when prayer becomes dry and meaningless.

These wilderness times can be caused by depression, redundancy, illness, retirement or any number of things.

It is so easy to become spiritually depressed as well, to think that you are being punished by God, or at least deserted by God.

It is so easy to beat yourself up and feel guilty, and perhaps even to do everything you can to get out of that wilderness and get all bouncy and happy again.

But sometimes God is allowing these wilderness times, or if certainly not causing them, can help just to make sense from them, and even to make us stronger.

Last week we began the season of Lent, when we remember Jesus’ 40 days and nights in the wilderness.

This was a time of testing and preparation in order to equip him for the task to which he was being called.

He emerged from his wilderness, stronger and wiser.

We too can emerge from our wilderness either as better people or as bitter people. The sun that melts the wax is the same sun than hardens the clay. It all depends on how we react.

At our evening services during Lent, at St Mary’s Church, Portchester Castle, I’ll be speaking on the theme Soulmaking: making your wilderness work.

I’ll look at themes such as the absence of God, testing and temptation, spiritual warfare and the purpose of fasting.

These talks will be preceded by a half-hour worship service which will be different each week and will include: Holy Communion, Choral Evensong, Taize and Celtic.

After the talk there will be a time of coffee and sharing in the church’s New Room, which some may wish to stay for.

This gives us an opportunity to share together on our understanding and experiences of wilderness.

The services start at 6pm and all are welcome.

St Mary’s Church is in Portchester Castle, Portchester.

Call (023) 9232 1380 or go to stmary-portchester.org.uk.