What is the longest distance you have ever had to walk? And how long did it take you to go that far?

I once walked for 12 days in something called the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in the country of Spain. It was great… but it was also very difficult.

I walked for 12 days straight but took a lot of breaks to rest, eat in restaurants, and sleep in nice hotels… but can you imagine walking for 40 whole days in the desert? That is exactly what Jesus did when he was trying to figure out what he had to do next. He had 40 days to think about it, to pray about it, and to ask his Father for help. 

It wasn’t easy. In fact it was very, very hard. While he was walking, he had three different challenges.

First, he had the challenge of the body. When we walk a long way, our feet hurt. Our legs get tired. Jesus walked in the hot desert for 40 whole days… and had no juice boxes, no comfortable shoes, no cozy bed to sleep in at night, and there weren’t any Chipotles out there so he could get a taco or burrito. 

Have you ever been really tired or hungry and wanted to quit?

Jesus knew exactly what that was like, but he kept on going, even when it was super hard.

Second, there was the challenge of the mind. Jesus didn’t have any music or an iPad or friends with him. It was very, very quiet. All the time. 

Do you ever feel bored or lonely?

Jesus knew exactly what that was like, but he used that quiet time to listen to his Father.

And third, the challenge of the heart. Jesus felt tempted… maybe he could take the easy way out. Maybe he didn’t have to take the difficult path. But he chose love instead.

Have you ever wanted to do something that was easy instead of something that was right or good?

Jesus knew exactly what that was like, but he said yes to God, even though it was hard.

It’s the season of Lent now, which we just began a few days ago. For 40 days, we have a chance to be more like Jesus when he was taking his very long walk in the desert.

We have a chance…

… to do good things, like helping each other, like being kind and caring.

We have a chance…

… to use quiet time to pray to God, to ask him for help, and to tell him how much we love him.

We have a chance…

… to say yes to God, even if that means going the harder way.

And that is what Lent is all about. Lent is about what Jesus showed us during his very long walk.

To the grownups here…

Jesus faced the same kinds of struggles we do — physical, mental, and emotional. Lent is a chance for all of us to slow down, even just a little, and to make room for God in the quiet. Maybe that looks like being more intentional, organizing a shared prayer before bed, having a screen free evening, or pausing for a moment of gratitude at the end of the day.

Small steps…

… taken together…

… become a pilgrimage…

… so, let’s walk together.