It takes a lot of energy and wrestling to keep my mind from wandering into worry and fear here in this wilderness. It’s like I am constantly reeling myself back into the present. Reminding myself this is where I am now, I have no control over what has been nor what is to come.

What I do have control over is my attitude and activity in the wilderness. Many throughout scripture chose to keep growing in faith, no matter the circumstances.

Like Joseph. The youngest brother sold into slavery, accused of misconduct, and wrongfully imprisoned. No matter his circumstances, he kept doing the next right thing.

Or Gideon. An unlikely leader who obediently reduced his troops to three hundred and defeated the Midianites. He was outnumbered, victory seemed impossible, but he trusted God’s plan.

And Paul. The enemy of God turned preacher, imprisoned for sharing the good news of Jesus. Confinement didn’t stop his preaching; he kept doing what God called him to do from behind prison bars.

Then I read this quote from the writings of St Patrick.

I would pray all the time, right through the day. More and more the love of God and fear of him grew strong within me…. Although I might be staying in a forest or out on a mountainside, it would be the same, even before dawn broke, I would be aroused to pray. In snow, in frost, in rain, I would hardly notice any discomfort, and I was never slack but always full of energy. It is clear to me now, that this was due to the fervor of the Spirit within me.
_{The Confession of Saint Patrick and Letter to Corticus. John Skinner, trans.}

I’ll admit my attitude isn’t always good, but I’m learning activity can change my attitude. How I choose to spend my time in the wilderness shifts my focus, turns my fear into faith, and worry into trust. So I’ll do my best to follow in the footsteps of those who’ve paved the path. I’ll make every attempt to do the next right thing, trust God’s plan when all seems dismal, and share the Good News of God’s love wherever I go.

So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.
_{Colossians 3:1-2 MSG}