Spiritual Desert

By Stacy LaMorte

During this season of Lent, we are reminded that Christ spent 40 days in the desert being tempted by Satan. 

When my sister and I were moving out to California, we stepped out of the car to take a picture in the Mojave Desert, and it took our breath away. It was over 20 years ago, and I remember how I felt standing there as though it were yesterday. 

How did Jesus stand it? He must have been so parched, exhausted and frustrated not to mention just plain hungry and thirsty!  We had the luxury of hopping back into our air-conditioned car and taking a huge sip of water to refresh ourselves; for Jesus there was no relief.  

Lately, I must admit I have been in a bit of a spiritual “desert.”  Several bad things have happened to several people I love, and it has taken its toll on my faith. 

I have had to remind myself to fuel my faith with positivity and the word of God. I may not have felt the faith, but I at least took action to try to quench the spiritual dryness I was feeling. I confided in my husband; I dove into my devotionals to fill me with God’s word; and I started doing First Saturdays with my mom and my oldest daughter.  

It is okay, you could even say beneficial, to have spiritual deserts. These help us to appreciate the times when our faith life is abundant and fruitful. We can also be honest with our children about the faith journey and that “this too shall pass.”