Meeting God in the Desert: Reflections for the First Sunday of Lent

Lent begins in the desert.

Not a place most of us would choose — dry, quiet, and uncomfortable — yet this is exactly where the Gospel brings us on the First Sunday of Lent. Jesus goes into the wilderness for forty days. He is tired, He is tempted, and He is alone. And yet, He is not abandoned.

The desert is not a place of punishment. It is a place of preparation.

So often, our own lives can feel like deserts too. Long days filled with chores and responsibilities. Prayers that seem unanswered. Worries about our children or the people we love. Moments of quiet that feel heavy rather than peaceful.

And yet, the desert can be a sacred place. It strips away distractions. It teaches patience, trust, and surrender. It reminds us that holiness is rarely dramatic. It begins in small yeses — a prayer offered quietly, a kind word spoken when we are tired, the patience to sit with a child through their fears or questions.

This week, as we begin Lent, consider where God might be inviting you to trust Him more. Perhaps it’s in patience with your family. Perhaps it’s surrendering anxieties about the future. Perhaps it’s showing up for prayer even when your heart feels heavy or distracted.

You might pray something simple like:
“Jesus, I trust that You are with me here.”

The desert is not a place to escape from life. It is a place to meet God in it. And just as He walked through the wilderness, we too can walk Lent with courage, faith, and hope, carrying the small light of His love into every ordinary moment.