Finding Hope in the Wilderness

As part of our 40 Days of Hope Lenten calendar, we asked various supporters in our network to share reflections on why they pray, serve, or give. www.hfny.org/lent

Lent is a season spent in the wilderness that leads to strengthened hope and perfect shalom.

Right after Jesus was baptized and appointed to start his three ministry years, the Spirit led him to the wilderness, where he fasted for 40 days and 40 nights. Why in the wilderness, where He was alone? And why was he led there "to be tempted"? (Matthew 4:1)

Even at the height of Jesus' ministry, he chose to withdraw often from family and friends to spend time with the Father in the wilderness, sometimes translated as the desert, or the lonely place (Luke 5:16). It was in this solitary space where Jesus intimately spent time with the Father and drew strength to keep pursuing the work he was called to do.

We often think that the wilderness is a mental space where we find ourselves when we are weak or alone, lacking hope and strength. But a sermon I once heard reframed my perspective. Perhaps the Holy Spirit led Jesus to the wilderness because it was where Jesus would be strengthened most to resist temptation.

When I interpret the Holy Spirit's intention in this light, I see the beauty of the Lenten season. We might feel weak abstaining from what usually brings us comfort (i.e. food, social media, screen usage, etc.), and we might feel more vulnerable to an array of temptations. But in refraining we are strengthened and emboldened more than ever to keep pursuing God's call for each of us to uphold his pillars of mercy and justice on earth.

During this time of Lent, as we choose to fast and pray more fervently with our Father, to slow down our hurried hearts in a city of overpacked schedules, we will become more aware. We will develop eyes that truly see the brokenness that exists all around us: fractured systems that impact the most vulnerable, children without families, mothers without support, neighbors without homes and the most basic of needs.

Seeing the brokenness might overwhelm us and tempt us to turn from hope. There are so many needs to fulfill and bring about perfect restoration for our city, but may our time in the wilderness with our Father turn toward hope. As our eyes are opened to the needs of those around us, let us be encouraged that we are becoming more gloriously strengthened to pursue God's daily invitation to love and pursue mercy and justice for every single person we encounter in New York City.

Brianna Rapp is the Ministry Administrator at Reunion Church.