Based on Luke 4: 1-13.

Scripture tells us that Jesus spent 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness prior to His crucifixion. I don't think that any of us today could imagine such a thing. No one to speak to (but God); no radio, TV, reading material, video game or headset. No news from the outside world; no interaction with the people He loved dearly; just solitude, His thoughts, and His Father's communion with Him. Yet, this very communion with God the Father sustained Him during these very long days and nights. His love for God, and for mankind, thrust Him back into the “real” world where He made His journey to the cross.

Fast forward to today. Let's pretend He never made it to the cross. Now look at us. Even with TV, radio, people, and all the things we are surrounded by each day; we find ourselves in a wilderness. Alone and looking for something to fill the empty ache in our hearts in spite of our abundant surroundings. We are lacking that one sustaining life force. That which kept Jesus' spirit nourished and well supplied during those 40 days and nights is not available to us. And, we die as a result of lack of nourishment. Many people really do exist in this fashion. They undergo a relentless search for that thing that will fill their void and make them whole.

The good news is that we as Christians do not have to live that way at all. We can speak to God at any time. We can listen for His counsel. We can have the same well-fed spirit Christ had during His greatest times of testing and trial. We can give to others, as Christ gave for mankind, and therein become fulfilled persons. Christ wandered in the wilderness because it was required of Him. He died for our sins because it was the price that had to be paid. He made it so that we don't have to face the wilderness alone. What a wonderful comfort it is to know that when we see the wilderness up ahead in our lives, all we have to do is take God's hand and He will walk with us every step of the way. He will feed our spirits and keep us whole.

JOAIMEE GALLO