God brings us to the wilderness to get the wilderness out of us. I am currently in the wilderness of Lent, and it pervades everything I do. I am daily, hourly, confronting toxic habits of idolatry and ungratefulness, and I truly lament for how my sin has pulled me away from Jesus.
But the reality of the gospel supersedes it; "But God" has become a two-word intention for my life. But God is rich in mercy. But God has seen me. But God is my strength. But God will redeem. But God gives life.
The wilderness of Lent is where I let go of who I was to become who God has created me to be. And it might be painful, as idols are ripped from my heart, but when I look up and see only Jesus, speaking tenderly to me from the foot of the cross, I can't imagine going back.
