There is something to be said about obeying traditions that draw us more deeply into God’s presence.
Regarding Ash Wednesday, ashes on the forehead, few dig into the theological reasoning behind receiving ashes that the whole world will see.
Yet, those who are brave enough to receive ashes and not rub them off all day must have some reason for doing so.
On the very first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday, we are tempted either to ‘forget it’ or to rub the ashes off before attending the meeting or event that evening. Temptation begins the instant we step into a deeper commitment of faith. Any time we partake of a tradition that brings us closer to God, who knows what will happen.
So, how do we think we would do if we walked into the desert alone, only with the knowledge that the Holy Spirit beckoned us onto this empty space?
Jesus was not beckoned by the Holy Spirit for his sake alone, but knew that his purpose was to be as human as his Father called him to be in the most extreme cases possible.
The desert experience was at the very beginning of his ministry to the Jews, first, and then to the Gentiles.
And so it is for us.
Are we ready to walk into empty space, unhindered by the clutter of our needy lives?
Are we ready to wait upon the Lord?
Are we ready to listen only to God’s voice?
Do we even know the voice that will direct our path as we walk more deeply into God’s presence?
Only when we become comfortable with silence can we learn to listen.
Only when we choose to digest God’s Word can we know
Only when we know the Shepherd’s voice can we follow according to God’s will.
40 days of digesting God’s words of scripture will open our hearts to God’s voice.
40 days of waiting in silence for God to speak through those words will guide us deeper into God’s presence.
40 days of taking daily moments with God is powerful.
40 days seeking God’s best for us through His Son, Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit is a game changer.
Just 40 days, with Sundays off to celebrate resurrected life, will amaze us.
Journal through these 40 days asking yourself.
- What did God’s voice say in my scripture reading today?
- How do these words apply to my own life?
- What can I ask of my Shepherd, Jesus, that will draw me more deeply into His presence?
- What is blocking my progress or tempting me away from this daily desert time?
- What are my next steps?
What possibly could be healing about walking into the desert?
I can see Jesus now, getting sun burned, beginning to have hunger pangs after at least the first day.
Yet, was He?
The Holy Spirit drew Jesus into a space Jesus would all too soon crave . . . a space to pray, to listen, to regroup, to drink in the task that His Father is setting before Him.
This desert time will be the only time, for the rest of his short life, that he won’t be pressed to minister to people, especially his disciples.
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