By Cathi Cackler-Veazey, World Church Diversity and Inclusion Team, co-chair

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me”" Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’” Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

When Jesus was faced with the temptation of power and fame, he stood by his belief in God and rejected the temptation. In Matthew 4:1–11, Jesus was offered the choice of worldly treasures, but he resisted knowing that God’s purpose for him was to share the knowledge of God’s love for all. We too confront choices.

Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Not Taken” describes a traveler who comes to a fork in the woods and must decide which path to take. One is well traveled and the other less. Even though the outcome is unknown, the traveler understood there would be significant impact on what was to come. The choice of roads made “all the difference.”

Some decisions have the potential for long-term effects. Consequently, it is important to make choices that align with one’s true self, rather than simply following the crowd. Jesus chose the less traveled road even though it would be much more difficult. And that made all the difference.

Prayer Phrase

“Creation itself will be set free” (Romans 8:21).

Spiritual Practice

Holy Attention

Spend a few moments paying attention wherever you are. Notice what draws your focus surrounding you. Look more closely at detail and color. Notice what pulls or prods within you. How is the God-in-all-things speaking to you through what you see and feel right here, right now?

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.