Lent in Desert
Most Washingtonians would prefer to spend this time of year in the desert. I mean, the actual desert. Say out loud: “Phoenix. Palm Desert.” If you have any PNW in your blood, you’re likely going to have a visceral response as you start thinking about sunshine, warmth, and rest.
This time of year has an historical name for those who follow Jesus: Lent. It’s also connected with the desert – but not the American, snowbird version. Jesus spent forty days in the desert in preparation for beginning his ministry (Matthew 4:1-11). Jesus fasted the full forty days. And he stood up to Satan’s temptations during that time. Temptations to satisfy his own desires, to make his trust in God a show, and to quickly gain earthly power.
People who live with Jesus often enter into this season of Lent with a similar practice of fasting.
Fasting from meals
Fasting from crave-able foods and apps
Fasting from background noise, audio books, podcasts, and other silence-fillers
Let’s not be surprised when in the unexpected absence of those regular routines and habits we find ourselves facing similar temptations that are there year-round but often much quieter. Our full bellies and noisy environments can help us ignore:
Temptations to make a purchase, eat a snack, do your own thing
Temptations to only put our most admirable moments out in conversation or social media
Temptations to assert our influence, correct the story, cut someone off
All those temptations may not sound bad to our modern ears – our culture admires most of them! But Jesus resisted such temptations in favor of remaining dependent and listening for the voice of his Father. If Jesus – God in the flesh – so pursued intentional time to grow closer to the Father, how much more might we want to heed the invitation to “come away” for a season to be with God?
Going to the literal desert is out of the question for most of us. So we’ll have to take more intentional steps to practice our dependency and get out of our normal habits and appetites to attend more to God’s presence. Let me invite you to find deeply satisfying life in God’s presence. It’s not too late to begin a Lenten practice. Turn off the phone. Fast a meal.* Press pause on audio fillers.
Jesus has come to give you life, and life to the full! Let’s prepare for the joy and fulfillment of Easter by entering into a quieter Lenten season between now and then.
Pastor Megan
PS I’m so delighted to be celebrating the starting line for our two year TIME TO RESTORE this Sunday. I hope you’ll be able to join us in worship at 10AM! And if you’ve made a financial commitment to this two year initiative, please prayerfully consider bringing as much of your commitment as you can and/or setting up your regular giving on March 1.
*Here is a resource for fasting. Please speak with a medical professional before beginning a fasting practice, especially if food has been an area of concern for you mentally and/or physically.
