whether we can live with dignity depends on whether or not we can live our lives with heightened awareness.

Similarly, when our mind and spirit lack rest or have not “recharged” fully, our ability to analyze will be compromised, we would lack the wisdom to make proper spiritual decisions and to discern God’s will for important decisions in our lives.

Before embarking on His important mission, Jesus entered the wilderness, giving Himself and the Father sufficient time to be united in a quiet and sacred space.  Jesus becomes our best role model. We must understand that a life without sorting out and integration will not be in order but in chaos. When we are faced with a busy life and bothered by the distractions that come with it, it is difficult for us to make the right decisions for our lives.

Therefore, we need to learn to follow Jesus into the wilderness, to face ourselves and God, and to recognize our identity and our role.

We have all experienced unexpected changes in our lives that forced us to make important decisions without being mentally prepared. However, it is often in these tough times that we realize who and what are the most important in our lives, which then drives us to make choices that can change the trajectory of our lives. Miraculously, these realizations in times of hardship and the decisions made afterwards usually bring positive changes to our lives, turning these originally dreadful moments into blessings in disguise.

These moments make us see the essence of life, prompting us to let go of the lesser things that had once gripped us, and instead aim for the most important things in life. In these helpless moments, we are able to see our own weaknesses and limitations, and truly realize that we cannot rely solely on our own abilities and wisdom, but need to rely on the power of God and His grace to live fully the life that our Heavenly Father has given us.

Reflection

Please reflect on your life and recall some critical or unexpected events where you had to make important decisions urgently. During those times, who and what things did you find were the most important in your life?

After going through today’s reflection, please ask God to reveal to you in your prayers what you can learn from Jesus’ experience of “entering into the wilderness”.

Today’s Prayer

Please help me to always remember that if even our Lord Jesus Christ needed to receive His strength and wisdom from You, how much more do I need to rely on You? Heavenly Father, now I humbly declare that You are the King of my life. Let me live solely by the graces that You have bestowed upon me. I pray in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

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