Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. (Matthew 4:1-2, NRSV)
Wilderness for Jesus wasn’t clear rivers, green trees, and interesting wildlife, like where I live in Montana. He did not have a new go-lite backpack with freeze dried food, a water pump, and a cook stove. Wilderness was desert. No water. No food. No people. Dry. Lonely.
Have you been there? Nothing is feeding you or nourishing your body, mind, or soul? People try. You try. But nothing works. Where am I going? How to I decide what to do? How did it I get here in the first place? You have your own story. Jesus’ story tells us that he did not go into the wilderness alone. God’s Spirit was there with him the entire time; though it might not often have felt like it. No matter how tired, hungry, tempted or lonely he felt, in the power of the Spirit, Jesus made good decisions. It is the same for you. You also do not wander in the wilderness alone. God’s Spirit will show up to feed, nourish, and help you make good decisions to live and serve God and others.
Prayer: O Spirit, guide me through the wilderness and the dry, parched places of my life. Help me to see you here with me and to make good decisions. Amen.