Testing

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread." Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone.'" Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, "To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours." Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'" Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,' and 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'" Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time. Luke 4:1-13 

 It happens to us all from time to time. Something knocks the stuffings out of us and we want to give up. The loss of my Mom knocked me for a loop. For a while I didn't want to get up and put my best foot forward, didn't want to work so hard. And yet I know that we are all called to the places where we are and God is willing always to give us the strength to resist the temptations so that we might joyfully serve where we are called.

After a wonderful moment by the river, Jesus went into the wilderness to pray. As close as he was to God he was still fully human, just like us. And when hunger, fear and loss crept in, he faced his own humanity head on. He was tempted to chuck the plans God had for him and make his life easier. He knew the power was within him. But he resisted, for the love of others, for the goodness of the world and for the likes of you and me.

Today I want to give thanks to God for the strength to resist temptation, and for tenderly understanding our humanity. May we like Jesus, resist so that others might thrive and so that we might see God's glory revealed in humility and service todaqy.