Lenten Meditation

Find Your Wilderness

“At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.” (Mark 1:12-13)

Have you had a modern day wilderness experience? Do you have in your memory a time and a place where you felt tested and alone? Things were not going well and your expectations were shattered and you believed you were abandoned and no one cared.

Of course you have, if you are human. It is not unusual nor is it unexpected to feel despair when things do not go as planned. We do not like that feeling, but in its presence we find ways to cope. We pray, we find someone to talk to, we may find solace in our bad habits or vices– the things that sometimes hold us down.

Jesus’ wilderness time was no day in the park. He was hungry and emotionally spent, questioning the whys and contemplating the maybes–just as we do! Remember, Jesus had a human side as well as his Godly side. Safe to say, though, the steadfastness and endurance Jesus had in the wilderness runs far beyond what we mere mortals can muster, yet in Jesus’ suffering we see that “this too shall pass.” if only we are patient to endure.

And how shall we generate endurance when all odds press in against us? We pray, we wait, we believe in a brighter future and we dig deeply to find some hopeful thoughts.

“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” (Psalms 42:1-2)

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.” (Psalm 62:5)

An old adage says, “Where there is a will there is a way.” It is attributed to Albert Einstein.

I attribute it to my Lord.