The Practical Wilderness: Finding Rest When Your Wine Runs Out

The Architecture of Lent
Lent is a 2,000-year-old 'Training Camp.'
Historically, 'Lent' comes from the Old English for 'Spring'—a lengthening of days.
In the early Church, this was a 40-day 'Intensive' for new believers preparing for baptism.

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. Otherwise, you have no reward with your Father in heaven. So whenever you give to the poor, don’t sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be applauded by people. Truly I tell you, they have their reward. But when you give to the poor, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

“Whenever you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by people. Truly I tell you, they have their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

16 “Whenever you fast, don’t be gloomy like the hypocrites. For they make their faces unattractive so that their fasting is obvious to people. Truly I tell you, they have their reward. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that your fasting isn’t obvious to people but to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

19 “Don’t store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Matthew 6:1 - Habit of Authenticity.

If your 'growth' is for the audience, the audience is your only reward. Lent is the choice to shut the door on expectations.

Matthew 6:6 - The Habit of Silence
- Shutting the door is the habit of silence.

Matthew 6:16 - The Habit of Sacrifice:
"Whenever you fast, don’t be gloomy..."


True habits don't scream for attention; they quietly change who you are.

John 2:1–11

Faith begins with this honesty.
You cannot fix what you will not name.


The servants had to trust and not control.

Where has the wine run out in your life?
Where are you carrying empty jars?


“…The soul is the 'integrator'—the computer system that connects your mind, body, and will. When it’s healthy, it’s a stream. When it’s disordered, it’s a dry jar. Soul care is using the habits we learned to restructure your soul to be in harmony with God. It’s not just about feelings; it’s about the power to live.” Dallas Willard

Matthew 11:28–30

"Jesus says,
'Come to me... my yoke is easy.'

Relinquish it.
Trade Me.
Give me the rock; take the yoke.


Either we name the need,
or we burn out.


Jesus is not disappointed
in your empty jar.


Jesus is the one who
turns the water into wine.

Between now and Wednesday:
Find 10 minutes of silence.
Don't try to control your thoughts.
Just trust Him.
Say: 'Lord, my jar is empty. Help me name the need.'