“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness...” — Luke 4:1 (NIV)

The waiting periods in discernment—waiting for an email, waiting for a panel date, waiting for a decision—can feel like we’ve been sidelined. For an ADHD brain that craves momentum, or a dyslexic brain that just wants the task finished, the wilderness of waiting feels like a penalty box.

But look at the text: Jesus was led there by the Spirit. The wilderness isn’t a punishment; it’s a preparation ground. The frustration you are feeling right now as you navigate a clunky, text-heavy system is forging a deep pastoral empathy within you. You are learning how to sit with people who feel locked out.

The Question: How might your current frustration with the system be training you to help someone else in the future?

Leave a comment

Lent Reflection: The Wilderness is Not a…