Always

For so many of the great figures of salvation history—Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, David and the like—a period of testing or trial was mandated before they could commence their work. 

The goal of this Biblical initiation ritual was to initiate a deep discernment to convey a simple truth: your life is not about you. It is about God and His purposes for you.

This was the purpose of Jesus’s forty-day sojourn in the desert; our model during Lent. 

The desert represents a stripping away of our attachments, so as to make the fundamental things appear. In the desert, there are no distractions or diversions or secondary matters. Everything is basic, necessary, and simple. Either one survives or one doesn’t. One finds in the desert strengths and weaknesses he never knew he had.

Whether it be Lent or some other moment in your life, are you ready to visit your desert? 

Are you prepared to engage in this level of self assessment and discernment?  Deal with your particular temptations to pleasure, power, money, and honor? Discover your strengths, embrace your weaknesses and then let go to let God? 

Even if in the past, you have not succeeded in the ways you wanted or thought you should,  remember that our God is One of second chances. It’s never too late to start again and recommit ourselves and journey into the desert. 

Once. Twice.  Or a dozen. 

You will never be alone throughout these journeys in your desert.

He will always be at your side. 

Always.