"Brief Devotions For Busy Lives" by Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson: Matthew 4:1-2

 March 2

"Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And he fasted 40 days and forty nights, and afterward he was hungry." -Matthew 4:1-2 (RSV)

Sometimes March can feel like a wilderness of unpredictability. Most of us have experienced "wilderness seasons" when we felt lost in the wilderness of overwhelming problems. At such times it seems we can find "no way out" and may feel trapped wandering aimlessly in paths of our own despair. It is very hard to find comfort, guidance, or even direction. While we long for wisdom, it seems to have disappeared under our anxiety and we wonder, "Where is the way out of this mess"? The answer seems to be found, biblically and practically, by inviting Jesus to be our guide in our desert experiences. He has already gone before us into the greatest wilderness of all as he prepared for his ministry on earth. Jesus knows the way out of any Wilderness situation because he was there before us! Yet it is surprising Jesus began his ministry only after being led by the Holy Spirit into the Wilderness for a time of severe testing and temptation.

Why would a Holy Spirit lead anyone into a wilderness of suffering, temptation, or trouble? Yet Jesus' 40 days there of fasting and seeking God transformed him into a sharpened warrior who came forth from affliction boldly preaching "The Kingdom of God" and calling others to "Follow" him. And so we must ask, "Could Jesus have been strong enough without the wilderness experience to fulfill his destiny?" Can we? Both his wilderness experiences and ours have a purpose of growth and preparation. Wilderness Seasons are essential to guide us to places God desires to prepare us for the next phase of our Life Journey. Could it be we are called to not only follow Jesus in the Wilderness Journeys of our own lives but to begin a new "journey of renewal" this March as Lenten season begins?

Prayer: God, thank you for transforming my wilderness times into renewed strength and new beginnings. Amen.

Meditation For The Day: Wilderness testing can offer blessing.

Brief Devotions For Busy Lives: Daily Winter Renewal Paperback – November 25, 2017, by Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson (Author)