Voices in the lonely desert

So there he was  in the desert on a solitary trek. The spirit – that divine wind that knows no boundaries – had led him to this lonely place. The searing daily heat, and the numbing cold of night. Nothing to eat. Hours of personal and spiritual reflection And a time to gain guidance from his father.

It’s nearing the end of forty long days and nights. Then he hears a soothing, sympathetic voice. "I know you’re starving. Look, if you’re really God’s son, why don’t your turn those rocks into bread?”

And the hungry man answers, “Don’t you know the Scripture? Man doesn’t live by bread alone but on every word that God speaks.”

Suddenly, the traveler is magically standing on top of the Temple and looking around the city on the hill. A mocking voice speaks to him: “If you’re really God’s son, I triple dog dare you to take a leap. After all, the Scripture says He will send angels to save you.” 

To which the Galilean replies: “No doubt they would, but it’s also written in the Scripture not to test God.”

Now he’s standing a top a mountain and he can see the wondrous marvels and cities of the world. Her hears a seductive voice: “See all that? Isn’t it wonderful? It’s all yours – if you just bow down and worship me.” 

“Get away from me! I serve only One!”

No more voices. He had met the enemy and defeated him for the first time on that bleak battleground. He had resisted the temptations most face: to take the easy way out; to respond to a dangerous dare and turn his back on another; and to gain the world by selling his soul. 

He had come to the desert to learn and to prepare. Forty long days and nights. And the silence in the wilderness is broken by the sounds of angels arriving to care of the hungry, weary man.  He was ready.

The real journey was just beginning.