What Gets Done In Forty Days?
“And Jesus full of the Holy Spirit, was led by the Spirit for forty days in the wilderness, tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing in those days.”
Our acknowledgement of Lent comes from the gospel accounts of Jesus spending forty days and fasting in the wilderness where He defeated the devil’s temptations and schemes.
Forty days. What gets done in forty days? The greatest leader ever to walk on earth inaugurated His mission with forty days of being alone, (yes communion with the Father) in a wilderness. You would think He would’ve spent time strategizing about vision, values, mission, and obviously develop a business plan. Actually, someone did approach Him with some unique development ideas of how He could better accomplish His mission. He quickly dispensed with that salesman.
But it raises a question. What did He do then for forty days? Isn’t one’s time valuable? It seems like forty days of “doing nothing” is somewhat of a waste! I believe the temptations were at the end of his forty days. So, it raises questions and for me a word about how I spend time.
Did He feel the angst of needing to get something done? After all, the world needed Him. Did He take hikes? Did he pray? Obvious answer. Did He think about stuff? Did He throw rocks at critters? What did He do in His waking moments?
I’m leading to this. I actually find great comfort and joy in His forty days. How many times do we read in Scripture…wait for the Lord (Ps. 27:14)? Waiting can feel like forty days. I find great faith and hope from His forty days that my labor for the Lord is never in vain (I. Corinthians 15:58). Daily time in His presence is never a waste of time. Attending church, Bible studies, prayer meetings, retreats, camps, are forty days. A lifetime of walking with Him is forty days. Every day with Jesus should be sweeter than the day before.
I believe Jesus enjoyed these forty days! Even without food. Go figure. I don’t believe He was looking at His watch and wondering: when will this end? He may’ve hoped He could spend another forty-day session once He started being around others! Who knows? What we can know is nothing done with Him, for Him, or from Him is a waste of time. We need our forty days. We always need to allow Him to fill our days with His glory.
Blessings,
Pastor Ross
