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Advent Week 1: The Way of the Wilderness, Day 6

Do you sense your dependence on God? How does (or should) this sense shape your life?

by David Turner on December 02, 2016


DEPENDENCE
LUKE 3:1-2

Jesus described John the Baptist as the greatest of the prophets. His greatness consisted in the power of his role—to prepare the people of God for the coming of God, the arrival of the Messiah. The summons of God to embrace this task came in the wilderness. This location is not accidental or incidental, but vital. The wilderness looms large in the Story of Israel, particularly the 40 years of wilderness wandering following their release from Egyptian captivity. The first great salient feature of that wilderness period is dependence. The people of God needed food and water for survival and guidance to make their way. Prayers were fervent and real, God's presence celebrated and sensed. Unfortunately, promised land life can hide our dependence. Prosperity and civilization give the illusion that we are self-sufficient. Once the stark need of wilderness is gone, our prayers lose their immediacy and our faith its reality. Religion becomes a way of managing God, rather than a way God challenges, changes, and provides for us. John called people into the wilderness to remind people of our constant and ultimate dependence on God. 

Do you sense your dependence on God?

How does (or should) this sense shape your life?

Tags: advent, wilderness

About the Author
David Turner

Dave is originally from Colorado Springs, Colorado. He is a graduate of the University of Colorado, Boulder (go Buffs!) as well as Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California where he earned his Masters of Divinity. 

Dave began his ministry with students at First Presbyterian Church, Colorado Springs where he was mentored by the Rev. Dr. Craig Barnes, as well as Rev. Don Butyne and Rev. Dr. Bill Enns at Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church.  Dave has served in ministry at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Upper St. Clair, PA as the Pastor for Students and also at Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church in Rancho Bernardo, Ca as Pastor of Adult Discipleship and later Pastor for Congregation Care. 

Dave’s ministry later led him back to Western Pennsylvania as Head of Staff at The Church of the Covenant in Washington, Pa, and finally to Valley Presbyterian Church in 2008 to serve as Pastor for Adult Education & Discipleship. In 2016, he was asked to lead VPC's Congregation Care Ministry. 

Outside of church ministry, Dave is an avid sports fan, especially when it comes to ice hockey and hiking.  He grew up playing soccer and continued through college.  He also played ice hockey and has a passion for snow skiing and hiking.  Dave’s greatest adventures have come in hiking 170 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail as well as hiking the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim-to-rim. 

Dave is truly blessed with an amazing family. He and his wife Stacy have been married since 1988 and together have raised two great children, Nic and Jaci.  Their parenting continues as they are currently raising their dog Louie who they spoil daily. 

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