Lent: In the Wilderness

“The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.” (Mark‬ 1‬:12‬-13‬, ESV‬‬)

Each time God shows us a Nothing, we may be tempted to fill it up. But Lent is a time to instead bear witness to all our Father can do with an open space. 

He speaks light into the void, rolls the stone away from barren wombs, and crafts His kingdom from runaway slaves, repaired ragamuffins, and murderers pardoned with blood still on their hands. The same Spirit that hovered over the disordered Nothing of pre-creation called Jesus into the disordered Nothing of the wilderness to be tempted by satan and live where wild animals build dens against the harshness of the elements.

During Lent, we imitate our King by putting a tiny wilderness where a fleeting comfort of the world once stood. When The Nothing tempts us to retreat into the dull thoughtlessness of distraction, routine, and comfort, we may say with Jesus, “Not my will but Yours,” and count on the moment of felt absence to fill up with God’s presence. What a beautiful God we get to love.

Father, 

Thank you for never fearing our weakness or mess. Forgive us for claiming as virtue what can only be Your merciful guidance. Here and now, please continue revealing yourself and transforming your people by the person and work of Jesus Christ our King. Be glorified in victory over our temptation. Only You can do it, Father. Amen.