You Are Being Prepared
Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. ~ MATTHEW 4:11 (NKJV)
We are approaching the time of year when we will celebrate the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. It is the Lenten season, which represents the time that Jesus spent in the wilderness fasting for 40 days, and it is there that Jesus was tempted by the devil. Lent is characterized by a time of preparation. It’s a time of the year to spend reflecting on one’s life and a time to get prepared for the things that may come in the near future.
The last few months I have spent hours reflecting on many things. As I reflect, I start to categorize activities in my life. I create a report card with the different things I have done, and I rate them. Now, some things I rate high, with an A. There are other things for which I get a C. And then, finally, there are those things that I failed over the course of the year. You may ask, “Why does it matter?” It matters because I think we also do that with our faith — we rate it. We go through life constantly trying to figure out if what we did was good or bad. Did I make the right decision? Did I do what I was supposed to do?
However, I think when we look at the life of Jesus, we can learn a few things, including the importance of a wilderness experience. So many times we feel as if we have walked right into a dry and barren land and we got there because of something we did or didn’t do. I want to tell you that when we get to those places, it becomes a season of preparation. It becomes a time when the only thing you can do is rely on Jesus. You have to pray your way through. You have to praise your way through. And when it’s over, you will be prepared to face the temptation that is going to come your way.
As we go through the Lenten season and start to prepare for Easter, let’s remember that preparation is essential to our walk as Christians. Your circumstances may be dark and may seem dry. But hold on, because what you’re being prepared for is greater than the wilderness you are in right now.
Father, I thank you for this season of preparation, and I ask that you will strengthen me in this season. God, there are so many unknowns, but I desire to trust you with my whole heart. I will not lean on my own understanding but will trust that where I’m headed is better than where I am today. Amen.
PASTOR TIFFANY MURPHY, ZION COMMUNITY CHURCH