The Big Sky
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| Faros Armenistis, Mykonos Greece |
My husband and I spent a large portion of our lives in the vast lands of Texas. It was where I learned about the big sky, seeing complete horizons surrounding you. In my nonprofit work, I spent a few hot days on south Texas ranches and in cattle barns. One thing similar to all was the dust, the blowing winds of heat, the harshness, the unrelenting sun. This is as close as I’ve come to experiencing wilderness. And it’s a far cry from living 40 days and 40 nights in such a place. And this picture I paint, does not show you my fully loaded, air-conditioned Suburban (if you live in Texas, you must drive a Suburban or so I learned.)
On my hot wilderness days, the day could not end quickly enough. The big sky of the desert was vast but I certainly wasn’t interested in hanging around to learn anything. I looked for comfort. Now, in the comfort of our homes today, let’s spend a minute in the wilderness and go deeper.
Jesus is led into the desert and there he spends over one month. And then the temptations begin. The Christian faith teaches us to experience life as Jesus did, to follow his pattern, his love and forgiveness. In this season, that means to follow him into the desert and into the temptations he met. For in doing that, I can find where in my life temptations are being disguised and hopefully learn to recognize them.
The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:“‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”
Overall, these three temptations are often interpreted as representing the broader human struggles with the desires of the flesh, the desire for signs and proofs, and the allure of worldly power and success.*
What does this boil down for us?
1. What desires do I put in front of seeking God? What am I hungrily seeking? Is it material, wealth, or is it just MORE.
2. How do I test God? Do I find myself in a battle of wills, “God, if you, will do this; I’ll believe, or I’ll forgive, or I’ll love. Do I test Him, when I demand a answer to my, "why."
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| Goliad, TX Photo: L. Gray |
These questions are not easily answered; and maybe that is why we have 40 days to sort things out and think things through.
The big sky in the day of the wilderness is a difficult place to live and shows a lot of cracks, needs, and pains in my life. But the night sky of the wilderness shows the hope, the glory, the healing only He offers.
Find your desert today and ask yourself some questions. Experience the big sky.
https://www.christianity.com/wiki/jesus-christ/what-was-the-significance-of-the-temptation.html
