First Sunday of Lent: Strength in the Wilderness

“And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil…”
— Luke 4:1–2

Lent begins in the wilderness.

Before Jesus began His public ministry… before the miracles, the crowds, and the teaching… He was led into isolation, hunger, and testing. The wilderness was not punishment. It was preparation.

Lent invites us to slow down, to remove distractions, and to examine what truly sustains us. It is a season of intentional discipline. Not for the sake of hardship itself, but for the sake of transformation.

Jesus faced temptation when He was physically weak, yet spiritually anchored. He resisted not with force, but with truth. Each time the enemy tempted Him, He responded with the Word of God. His strength came from alignment with the Father, not relief from discomfort.

This is the pattern of real formation.

Just as the body grows stronger through resistance, the soul grows stronger through surrender and discipline. Growth is rarely loud or visible in the moment. Often, it happens in quiet obedience… in daily decisions… in choosing what is right over what is easy.

The wilderness strips away what is unnecessary so what is essential becomes clear.

The wilderness teaches dependence.
The wilderness refines identity.
The wilderness produces strength that comfort never can.

Lent invites us to seek God more intentionally, to reorder our priorities, and to allow discipline to shape us from the inside out.

HOLSTRENGTH40

Tomorrow marks the beginning of HolStrength40. Forty days of intentional physical and spiritual discipline.

The heart behind it reflects the very pattern we see in Lent: choosing structure over impulse, purpose over comfort, and growth over ease. It is a practical way to live out what this season invites us into. Training the body with consistency while drawing the heart closer to God each day.

As you step into these forty days, do so with the mindset of the wilderness. Not as punishment, but preparation. Not simply as a challenge, but as formation.

Let the discipline shape you.
Let the focus refine you.
Let the season strengthen both body and spirit.

If you want to participate in HolStrength40, check out our info page here.