desert.
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.” // Matthew 4:1
Expectations, aka painting yourself a pretty picture. I have been guilty of this over and over again. I love to dream up the perfect scenario; I’ll even devise a clear path to get there. And just as I’ve learned my plans do not ever pan out as expected, here I go again crafting the newest pretty picture. My most recent pretty picture was this lenten season. I deeply wanted this lent to be epic. I wanted to set myself down the path of holiness, and grow closer to Jesus’ heart. After encountering the Lord in so many sweet ways, I longed for more. I made my plans, set my path, filled Jesus in, and gave Him my expectations. You have probably already seen the red flags.
We aren’t even a full week into lent and I see my expectations and pretty picture melting away in the desert heat. I was hoping I would be refined by my efforts and receive new peace. This is happening, but just not exactly like I planned. My plans weren’t bad and my intentions were pure, but Jesus sees even more for me and He is giving me the opportunity to strengthen my soul.
Despite my imagery of a peace-filled lent with holy thoughts, courageous actions, devout prayer, and answers to my many questions, I instead found myself swarmed with temptation. Temptation to entertain worldly thoughts, give into old ideas of doubt and anxiety, discouragement, and fear. My good plans did lead me to the Lord’s Word and His plans for my lenten season. He sucked me out of the darkness and He revealed to me the very reason I desired such high expectation. He reminded me that these forty days, His forty days were and are a walk through the desert. This season is a reminder that we are at war, and we will sometimes win battles, but we cannot forget to stay alert. As I read through Matthew, Jesus’ own journey through the desert merged with my reality. His example teaching me, once again. Each time He was faced with temptation or difficulty, He went straight to His Father. The Truth in His Word. The Word and Trust He had in the Father gave Him refuge, clothed Him in armor.
This is true for you too. Even now in this moment, even now in this lenten season, He is asking you to return to Him with your whole heart (Jl 2:12-13). Relationship with Him is the key to winning the battles, to overcoming the temptation, to a renewed internal peace that leaves eternal joy. Jesus crucified on the cross isn’t a pretty picture. But, the cross reminds me of the beautiful story of our salvation. We cannot live without temptation, sin, hurt, or darkness, but Jesus has and will continue to guide you through the desert to the Land of the Living. You must only invite Him to join you.
Prayer
Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit. To that end, be watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones and also for me, that speech may be given me to open my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel for which I am an ambassador in chains, so that I may have the courage to speak as I must.
Questions
In what ways have you created expectations for your life, yourself, your relationships, with God? What expectations have you created for this lent? Share these expectations with God and tell Him if they have been met, not been met.
Do you feel like you have been walking in the desert with Jesus or alone? What battles are you fighting? Give your battles to Him. Ask Him to help you, so that you may grow stronger.
Reflect on the image of Christ crucified on the cross. Do you see beauty, darkness, heartache, mercy, love, mourning, death, life, resurrection? Write down the words that come to your heart.
The Father’s plan for Jesus’ life here was less than a pretty picture, but also so much more. How is He using your life to create something hidden and beautiful? Do you see the fruits of your circumstances, or the fruits of His love? Share this with Him in prayer.
x courtney.
