By Kristen Oliver, a first-year biology major from Walworth, Wisconsin
Scripture: Mark 1:1-8 (NRSV)
What do you think of when you hear the word “repentance”? Does it make you shiver or feel pain? Does it do the complete opposite and make you feel strong? Or is there no feeling at all when you think of repentance? Do you find that you have to repent to God with feeling or is it a daily routine and it has meaning anymore?
Like in Mark 1:1-8, I want you to think of your wilderness. Close your eyes and be vulnerable with yourself. Do you see your wilderness as something you can’t share with God? Can you share your sins with Jesus today and be in that wilderness with Him together?
I grew up in a church where repentance was wrong and almost shameful. When others would talk about the action of repentance, it made me cold to the bone. I felt as if I couldn’t repent to God because I had to act like I was perfect, but I was too broken that I couldn’t bring it to God. I found out that my church had no love or forgiveness in their hearts, so I left my church for good. I felt too broken for God and had to find him again. I had finally repented with the help of a few friends and was told that I was never too broken to have a relationship with God, but that I was a perfect fit. God is always with me, no matter if I am broken or not. God is always looking out for you when you are in that wilderness. Call up to him because he is waiting for you to ask him to be there with you. You are never alone even when you feel like it.
Scripture: Mark 1:1-8 (NRSV)
The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,
“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,4John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”who will prepare your way;
3the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’”