“Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil.  And in those days, he ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, he was hungry.”  –Luke 4:1-2

Right now you might be feeling hungry, a little cranky, wondering if you can really make 21 days without your favorite comfort or comfort food.  If you’re going without your normal diet or are only drinking water, you may face headaches, chronic bad breath, endless hunger pains, or other afflictions.  Drinking a lot of water will help with some of this, but your body is purging itself of a lot of junk.  🙂

This fast, however, is not only about denying yourself; it’s about following Jesus into the wilderness.  In the wilderness, he faced the devil and all the temptation he could throw him.  Food, power, and fame–these were the temptations the devil offered.  Notice, he was filled with the Holy Spirit when he went on the fast and went into the wilderness.  Another gospel says that he was “driven” into the wilderness by the Spirit.

Today, I encourage you to realize that the Spirit has led you to follow Jesus into the wilderness for a time of testing and special communion with God.  Just as Jesus emerged victorious over his enemy’s outrageous taunts at one of his weakest moments, so you too can emerge from this time with new perspective and clothed with new power for life and service.

When Jesus finally left the wilderness, he began his amazing ministry.  Where do you think God is leading you after this fast?   Take some moments today or tomorrow to write about that very question.