Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished.  Luke 4:1-2

Many (if not all) of us have wilderness experiences in our lives.  We may lose a job. 

A loved one may die.  There may be discord in our family, church, or friendship group that causes pain.  We may lose our ability to perform certain tasks physically or mentally as we age or as a result of illness or accident.  Our employer may pass us over for a desired promotion.  We may have our heart broken in love.  The goals in life that we thought were within our reach may remain elusive.  We may be hungry or be evicted from our home.  The wilderness takes many forms and has many consequences.

Jesus walked this earth as a human being many years ago.  Part of his human experience was to be led into a wilderness of temptation and fasting for 40 days.  He knew trial and temptation in his life as we know it in our own.  The Holy Spirit was with Jesus during these times of trial.  The Spirit did not keep Jesus out of the wilderness and did not relieve him of his hunger, but it did lead and guide him in his time of trial.

This same Spirit that was with and guided Jesus in the wilderness is available to us as well.  When Jesus left this world for the next, he left a Comforter - the Holy Spirit - to minister to us.  He also left us with his Body in time and space as the church - the Body of Christ.  Saint Paul spoke of this Body as a unity of Christians with Christ as a single body that has Christ as its head.  We thus have resources to help us in this life, especially when we find ourselves in the wilderness.  These resources can guide, support, and make the journey that we must take in this life a little easier.