March 4, 2009

Read Hebrews 3:12-19

For we have become partners of Christ, if only we hold our first confidence firm to the end. As it is said, ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”—Hebrews 3:14-15

As a child I learned that the 40 days of Lent were a time for self-denial and a time to honor the 40 days that Jesus withdrew into the wilderness before he started his ministry. The idea of self-denial always made sense to me but only recently did I start wrestling with the idea of wilderness and its purpose in the season of Lent. Before he began his ministry in this world, Jesus went into the wilderness to prepare his heart for the great works God had in store for him. During Lent we too have the opportunity to venture into the wilderness to prepare our own hearts for what God has in store for us. It turns out though that sometimes the wilderness of our lives can be pretty daunting. In the wilderness one may feel alone and lost, confused and ambivalent, anxious and scared. Yes, we have chosen to become partners in Christ but how do we hold our first confidence in Him firm to the end? How do we find our way back out of the wilderness during this season of lent? Listen. Listen for God’s voice. Listen for God’s voice calling to you in the wilderness. As you prepare your heart during this season of Lent do not be afraid to spend time in the wilderness; but if you hear God’s voice calling to you, listen to it. Do not harden your heart in rebellion. Be vigilant, focused, and sincere in your effort to hold your first confidence in Him firm to the end.

Pray: Lord God, thank you for the opportunity to voyage into the wilderness during this season of Lent. Please grant me the wisdom to hear your voice calling to me, the courage to follow that voice out of the wilderness, and the strength to hold strong to my first confidence in you. Amen.

Jenny Shult works as a social worker at a large non-profit that supports people with developmental disabilities and their families.