Pause

"How can you tell?"

That's a fair question whenever someone makes a prediction of what is going to happen, or even when they give an explanation for what is happening now.

There are signs for those who will see them. Take time now to watch for the signs God has for you.

Listen

And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.

Mark 1:12-13

Think

I wish life was easy. Wouldn’t it be easier if there was no struggle, no conflict, and no stress in the world? Sure does seem like an ideal situation, but without some struggle in life, we don’t grow, we don’t learn about ourselves, and we don’t learn how to make choices in life that are of God and not of the world.

I don’t think Jesus was sent into the wilderness to suffer. I think he was sent there to learn how to be faithful. It was not about punishment or testing, but about the need for some tension in order to become disciplined and intentional about one’s faith. You too are sent into the world, not to be tested, not to suffer, but to live. In that living, you may find times when it will be difficult and choices will be hard to make. But always know that God, even in the struggle, is there.

Bruce Reyes-Chow

Pray

God, for your presence in the times of struggle, I am thankful. Help me to sense today that you are near. Amen.

Go

Go now with open eyes.
Go now with listening ears.
Make your way with the assurance
That God is leading you.
God is providing the signs you need
To see,
To hear,
To find your way.