Grace and Peace to you, in the name of Christ Jesus!

Life is a spiritual struggle. There is no way around it. Our struggle does not necessarily mean we are not where God wants us to be, or doing what God wants us to do. Instead, the struggle tests the way we are living our lives, prompts us to question our path, and sometimes make appropriate changes. Perhaps that is why Jesus taught us to pray, "Lead us not into temptation." We already know the way there far too well!

Our Christian faith does not take us out of the spiritual struggle, but rather places us squarely in the center of it. During Lent, we remember how Jesus struggled in the wilderness. We imagine him, hungry and tired, yearning for a good meal and comfortable place to rest. Then the devil shows up, promising to fill all of his emptiness. Yet, Jesus remains faithful to his call, to his path, and to God.