Jesus in the Wild: Learning to Trust
Have you ever felt like you're living in a metaphorical wilderness?
Matthew 4:1 reads, "Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil."
Although I've lived in Colorado, I'm far from being an outdoorsman. I consider myself more of a city boy. I love the city and all of the excitement and energy it has to offer. Even though I've spent my entire life living in cities and suburbs, I've definitely had times when I felt like I was living in the middle of a wilderness. As a matter of fact, I find myself feeling that way now.
The wilderness is a place of barrenness, obscurity, and loneliness. A place where we can feel far from our purpose, our potential, and even God himself. Can you relate?
The idea of wilderness is mentioned more than 300 times in the Bible. Two of the most significant wilderness accounts are the 40 years the Israelites spent there before entering the promised land and the 40 days that Jesus spent there before entering his public ministry. In scripture, wilderness serves as a common metaphor for a space or time of confusion, transition, and growth.
As I write this, we are in the middle of a Christian season called Lent. The word “Lent” comes from the Old English word “lengten,” which simply means “spring” — when the days lengthen and new life springs forth. Lent is 40 days set aside as a time of reflection, repentance, and spiritual growth leading up to Easter. It mirrors the 40 days that Jesus spent in the desert, where he fasted and was tempted by the devil.
Over the next couple of weeks, I want to share three things I’m learning about the wilderness. For today, I want to simply share with you a question. This is a question I believe God asks all of us when we enter the wild of the wilderness, while we are waiting, unsure, and in the middle.
The question is, “Will you trust me?”
Will you trust me when you’re unsure of what I’m doing?
Will you trust me when it seems like time is standing still?
Will you trust me when it doesn’t feel like I’m near?
As you ponder this question, I want to leave you with a line from "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" by C.S. Lewis,
“Aslan is a lion- the Lion, the great Lion." "Ooh," said Susan. "I'd thought he was a man. Is he quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion"...."Safe?" said Mr. Beaver..."Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you.”
Following Jesus isn’t safe, but we can rest assured that He is good.
May we all find the courage to trust Him during our times of wilderness.
By the way, if you’d like to learn how to create your spiritual growth framework by crafting a Rule of Life, join the waitlist for my free webinar coming soon by clicking here.
