Now I'm not talking about driving past cactus bushes and tumbleweeds doing 65 Miles per hour in your air-conditioned SUV or visiting ghost towns of the old west on a family vacation. You know the kind of a place that goes on for countless miles where rattlesnakes are the friendliest critters you are likely to happen upon. Probably not, but as Christians we should all spend some time in such a place, at least metaphorically speaking, because it is in the deserts of our lives that we are able to best reflect upon the love of God. The prodigal son knew a little about what deserts do to us because he spent time separated from his father in just such a place. It was during that desert period of his life that he was able to reflect upon all that he had with the Father and it was there that he began to feel repentant.
Deserts are places where the reality is more than just virtually real.
When you are in the desert every decision you make can be the difference between life and death, and in such a place, more than anywhere else, you become acutely aware of your surroundings. Lent is the time when Christians seek penitential works in our lives and take the opportunity to go to the Lord in prayer, fasting and charitable acts. It is during this time each year that I find myself preparing for yet another missionary trip to Mexico. During these trips I do without the warmth of my own bed, the peace of my home, the luxury of my country and the closeness of my family. I do without so that I can reflect within while I work for the Savior who worked so hard for me.