When things go wrong in life, one of the first things we feel is that we’re alone. And the social distancing and stay-at-home orders of the COVID-19 pandemic only amplify our sense of isolation. In the Hebrew Scriptures, the wilderness is the primary metaphor for challenging seasons of life. But what if the challenges and limitations of the wilderness actually call forth the richness of our creativity? This episode explores how creativity can help us overcome isolation so we can experience grapes in the desert.

• What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching?
• In the midst of this pandemic, so many people are having conversations and interactions with neighbors they never usually talk to. Why do you think disaster is such an effective incubator for connection?
• What are some of the creative ways you’ve been connecting with others during the pandemic, and what have those experiences been like for you?
• Stories of Italians singing together on their balconies, residents of NYC applauding healthcare workers, and drive-by birthday parties are really moving. Why do you think these simple gestures move us so deeply?
• If you’re feeling a sense of isolation and aloneness, what can you do this week to remedy this?

• The Bible and the Land by Gary M. Burge – Chapter 3 is on the desert 
• The Land Between by Jeff Manion – Outstanding book on navigating the deserts of our lives 

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