The Wilderness Within: Making Our World a More Human Dwelling Place

I’ve been deeply moved and challenged recently by these powerful words from James Baldwin. He was a profound thinker whose insights into the human condition continue to resonate across time. He wrote:

"Most of us are not compelled to linger with the knowledge of our aloneness, for it is a knowledge that can paralyze all action in this world. There are, forever, swamps to be drained, cities to be created, mines to be exploited, children to be fed. None of these things can be done alone. But the conquest of the physical world is not man’s only duty. He is also enjoined to conquer the great wilderness of himself. The precise role of the artist, then, is to illuminate that darkness, blaze roads through that vast forest, so that we will not, in all our doing, lose sight of its purpose, which is, after all, to make the world a more human dwelling place." — James Baldwin, The Creative Process   

This passage, particularly the call to "make the world a more human dwelling place," speaks directly to the heart of what we do as women in ministry and leadership.

Beyond the "Doing": Our True Calling

In our daily lives, it’s so easy to get caught up in the "doing": the preparations, the community outreach, the strategic planning for our businesses, and the myriad of responsibilities that fill our plates. Baldwin vividly describes this as "swamps to be drained, cities to be created, mines to be exploited, children to be fed." These are undoubtedly vital tasks—many are extensions of our divine calling.

However, Baldwin sharply pivots, reminding us that "the conquest of the physical world is not man’s only duty." He challenges us to look inward, to "conquer the great wilderness of himself."

For us, as women leading and serving, this "wilderness within" is a crucial territory. It's the landscape of our own spirits, our unexamined assumptions, our unhealed wounds, and our deepest fears. It’s where our true authenticity resides, often obscured by the demands and expectations of the world around us.

Why Tending to Our Inner Wilderness Matters

• Authenticity Fuels Connection: To "blaze roads through that vast forest" within ourselves means doing the courageous work of self-reflection. When we understand our own internal landscape, we lead from a place of genuine authenticity. This vulnerability is magnetic; it creates a safe space for others to explore their own hearts.

• Purpose-Driven Action: Baldwin warns against losing sight of our "purpose." In ministry and service, our purpose is never just about ticking boxes. It's about transformation. When we neglect our inner lives, our "doing" can become disconnected from its sacred purpose. Tending to our inner selves ensures our external actions are rooted in deep conviction.

• Creating a "Human Dwelling Place": What does it mean to make the world a more "human" dwelling place? It means fostering environments where empathy thrives, vulnerability is welcomed, and everyone feels seen and safe. We cannot create such spaces if we haven't first cultivated them within ourselves. Our internal state directly impacts the atmosphere we create for others.

A Call to Pause and Reflect

We are not just building ministries or organizations; we are cultivating souls—our own included. If we want the world to feel more human, we must embrace the full breadth of our own humanity first.

Let's reflect on this together:

• In what areas of your life are you feeling the pull to move beyond just "doing" and into deeper "being"?

• What does "conquering the great wilderness of yourself" look like for you right now? Is it setting boundaries, seeking quiet reflection, or engaging in a new spiritual discipline?

• How can you intentionally make your corner of the world a more "human dwelling place" this week?