Grace-filled Wilderness

The Grace-filled Wilderness connects contemporary encounters of wilderness with the traditional themes of Lent and Jesus’ journey to the cross. Magdalen Smith invites us to consider a series of subjects that are double-edged – they can bring us life or, if we handle them in the wrong way, drain life from us.Our appetites, our identity, our work, our sense of freedom and our struggles with anxiety and pain are explored in connection with what it means to be a follower of Jesus.Six full weeks of readings help us to move gradually from wilderness to grace, until, finally, we encounter the miracle, hope and joy of Easter.‘On every page of this Lent book, there’s an invitation to journey which is as enticing as it is challenging. I found myself wanting to venture into the wilderness out of choice and not simply circumstance, and the adventure left me seeing, feeling and sharing in God’s grace.’Jo Wells, Bishop of Dorking

On every page of this Lent book, there’s an invitation to journey which is as enticing as it is challenging. I found myself wanting to venture into the wilderness out of choice and not simply circumstance, and the adventure left me seeing, feeling and sharing in God’s grace., Unearthly Beauty (SPCK, 2017): With heartfelt honesty, clarity and humanity, Magdalen Smith challenges the Church to see the journey ahead with new eyes. This book is a timely prophetic call to be refreshed by our inheritance in ways that renew integrity and hope., A treasure chest of gems., Fragile Mystics (SPCK, 2015): The mystics, both medieval and modern, bring a welcome invitation to be still, adore, face the reality of darkness and grow above all in the love of God which, as Paul says, ‘surpasses knowledge’. If prayerfulness is diminishing in your life or ministry, Magdalen Smith’s quiet skill will help you see that it doesn’t have to be this way., Magdalen Smith enables us to reclaim a sense of mystical living . . . you will want to revisit [this book] again and again.

Magdalen Smith is a National Adviser for Selection in the Ministry Division of the Church of England. She was formerly Director of Ordinands for Chester Diocese and has worked in parish ministry in a variety of contexts. Magdalen has a background in the visual arts and is interested in the dialogue between faith and contemporary culture. A retreat leader and spiritual director, she has published Unearthly Beauty: Through Advent with the Saints, Fragile Mystics: Reclaiming a prayerful life and Steel Angels: The personal qualities of a priest.