Skip to main content

Tending to Lent

"Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into
the wilderness to be tempted by the devil."
(from Mt. 4:1-11)

One of the more fascinating journeys I have taken was through the arid wilderness of Death Valley.

A Death Valley journey is noted for its heat, beauty of the surrounding hills, a museum, and warnings which include weather, road conditions, and survival plans. 

Warnings for hikers, backpackers and drivers include self-reliance, good maps and one reading, "If you find an illegal marijuana site, LEAVE IMMEDIATELY!".

Tending to Lent might be considered a type of arid wilderness with preparations.

These preparations often include inauthentic sacrificial acts like "giving something up for Lent", like chocolate, (a big sacrifice for me).

But then, how does doing trite acts of sacrifice make you stronger to face difficult times in your arid wilderness?

"Taking something up", such as authentic praying, fasting, and giving alms, are other preparations for a wilderness journey designed for increasing spiritual strength.

But then again, how, at the wilderness journey's end of fasting forty days, praying, and giving alms, made a difference when you encounter your arid wilderness?

Jesus' desert detour wasn't about physical location nor his powers to resist the Tempter.

It's about faith and trust in God.

The Tempter offers Jesus three opportunities: commanding stones to become bread; being rescued by angels after jumping from a tower; earthly power and splendor. 

Jesus' answers reflected faith and trust in God as he faced the Tempter's opportunities of acceptance or rejection.

Jesus' desert detour is about faith that God will provide that needed deep trust.

Because of Jesus' desert detour, we can comprehend God's mercy grace, and love as we authentically, tend to the Lenten practices of praying for others, fasting from societies' false obligations, and giving socially responsible alms.

These Lenten preparations assure us we are not alone in a wilderness of temptations.

Think about it: What is your source of strength or courage when you feel the tug of temptations?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Every Christian's Journey

"When he was at the table with them,  he took bread, blessed and broke it,  and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened,  and they recognized him." Luke 24:31,32a To me there there all kinds of road trips. They all have similarities such as destinations and travel experiences. Years ago Elaine and I took a camping trip out West. We drove Utah's Route 12 between Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon National Parks. This part of the road trip meant enjoying God's beautiful creation. One of the experiences we still laugh about was the constant daily lunch menu of PB&J sandwiches. Luke's major theme is traveling the Way. In the gospel, Jesus travel TO Jerusalem. In Luke's Acts, the disciples travel FROM Jerusalem proclaiming the Word Empowered by the Spirit. On the Emmaus road trip from Jerusalem, two disciples, probably Cleopas and his wife, experience a stranger's presence. The stranger reveals himself as Jesus by explaining what was said about him in the ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Hope in Unexpected Twists and Turns

Hawk's Nest Overview "  Now on that same day  two of disciples were going to a  village called Emmaus,  about seven miles [  from Jerusalem,  and talking with each other  about all these things that had h9appened."  (from   Luke 24:13-35 ) The Hawk’s Nest is a scenic, cliff-hanging stretch of NY State Route 97 offering dramatic views of the Delaware River.   Originally a one-lane dirt road built in 1859, it is known for bald eagle sighting, scenic overlook, and its twists and turns.   "Just as the Hawk’s Nest Road winds unpredictably, so too do our days.   For example, one day started off unpredictably, with the electrician arriving at 7:30, followed by the plumber at 8:30, and then a sincere thank you note delivered in person at 9.   "Our current polarized society creates complex, unexpected twists and turns that are difficult to navigate." The Emmaus Road story is one of hope in times of twists and tu...
Post a Comment
Read more

Traveling by Faith

 Now faith is the assurance  of things hoped for,  the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 No, I'm not still stuck on I-81 hoping to be on my way as soon as possible. A tow truck big enough to haul a tractor-trailer rushed past on the shoulder followed by a VDot pick-up. I had faith that somehow the road would be cleared or traffic detoured around the crash. Slowly, we came to an off ramp, were directed up it, across a main street and down a ramp onto I-81. We we on the road again. This, of course, is a shallow understanding of Hebrews 11:1.  For me, hope is in found in God's Word as I look at what is, could be, and should be as I head toward the "Highway of Holiness" to be among the righteous who walk on it. The author of Hebrews describes faith as assurance and conviction. Faith is trusting God. For example: By faith Abraham, was called to go somewhere to receive his inheritance. He obeyed and went, not knowing the destination. Faith is walking with ...
Post a Comment
Read more