ECCLESIOLOGIC AL ETCHINGS
August 31, 2025
In her book, Sisters in the Wilderness, Womanist theologian Delores Williams writes about the wilderness and how frightening it can be. Yet she goes on to talk about survival in the wilderness requiring God-given resources like resiliency, hope, and determination if life and faithfulness are to be sustained in the face of fear. I appreciate how she does not dismiss fear as a reality, especially when we are unexpectedly thrust into a physical, spiritual, or emotional wilderness. With that in mind, there are tools we can acquire and learn, provided we don’t wait until we find ourselves in a precarious situation, feeling afraid. A significant part of our worship involves honing our skills, preparing us for the inevitable moments that will undoubtedly come our way. I look forward to seeing you in worship today.
Teach me and encourage me, while also being patient with me. You know what is necessary better than I do, so I trust you, Strong and Compassionate God, to show me what I need to work on this day. Amen.
