Yesterday, on the first Sunday of Lent, we heard the gospel reading about Jesus in the desert for forty days and being tempted by the devil. Satan begins his temptations with, "If you are the Son of God..." He seems to be challenging Jesus about his identity. Jesus had just heard God tell him he is his beloved Son at the Jordan River where he was baptized. He needed time away to take in all that he had heard. After three temptations that were not accepted by Jesus, the devil left him.
Two thoughts came to me as I reflected on this passage. First, how many times have you been challenged about your identity. I don't mean your name and social security number. How have others tried to tell you that you are other than what you know to be true about yourself? There may also be times when you did not choose to be more because of self doubt or lack of self confidence. On the other hand you may have tried to be something you are not. Either way, we have to be strong enough to live with integrity, knowing who we are and what our values stand for. The one identity each of us can claim boldly is that we are daughters and sons of God.
My second thought is about the desert. Lent is a desert time. While we cannot physically go into a desert, we can spend alone time in quiet and reflection. It is a place where we can work through things, wrestle with a problem, or find peace. We can change in the desert. It is a lonely place and sometimes frightening. However, when we choose to be there and empty ourselves before God, we can also be filled with light, strength, grace, and peace. How will you choose to be before God this Lent? Do you know who you are before God?
Two thoughts came to me as I reflected on this passage. First, how many times have you been challenged about your identity. I don't mean your name and social security number. How have others tried to tell you that you are other than what you know to be true about yourself? There may also be times when you did not choose to be more because of self doubt or lack of self confidence. On the other hand you may have tried to be something you are not. Either way, we have to be strong enough to live with integrity, knowing who we are and what our values stand for. The one identity each of us can claim boldly is that we are daughters and sons of God.
My second thought is about the desert. Lent is a desert time. While we cannot physically go into a desert, we can spend alone time in quiet and reflection. It is a place where we can work through things, wrestle with a problem, or find peace. We can change in the desert. It is a lonely place and sometimes frightening. However, when we choose to be there and empty ourselves before God, we can also be filled with light, strength, grace, and peace. How will you choose to be before God this Lent? Do you know who you are before God?
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