Due to the paths God has allowed my career to take in the Christian music industry, I’ve had the privilege of partnering with some truly amazing, God-fearing, and creatively gifted people and ministries. To many outside the industry, these individuals might seem almost untouchable, superhuman, even. My students often can’t believe I’ve met and worked with some of their favorite artists or leaders. But here’s the truth: these people are just people. They have the same struggles, the same joys, the same doubts, and the same need for grace as anyone else. I’ve come to see that whether we’re in the spotlight or behind the scenes, we are all fundamentally the same. We are all dust, formed from the earth, and destined to return to it.
This realization leads us to a central truth: we all have the potential for greatness, and we all fall short. We’re all in need of forgiveness and humility before God. No one is above or below anyone else in His kingdom. Whether we’re famous or forgotten, successful or struggling, we are equally called to come before God with open hearts and honest humility. Our worth isn’t rooted in our achievements or status but in the fact that we are loved and made by Him. We are, after all, ashes to ashes and dust to dust, a reminder that our human limitations remain constant.
Let’s look at brief part of the story of Adam and Eve:
The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.”
Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God say, ‘You shall not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.’“ But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-71
Throughout Scripture, we see this shared human experience. In Genesis, God places Adam in the garden with a command: “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.” Yet, the serpent’s craftiness tempts Eve with the promise of becoming like God, knowing good and evil. Their eyes are opened, and suddenly they see their nakedness and their shame. It’s a story of human curiosity, temptation, and the universal struggle to trust God’s boundaries.
We then see this story in Scripture:
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.
Matthew 4:1-112
Later, in the wilderness, we can see Jesus Himself faces temptation. Led by the Spirit, He fasts for forty days and nights, famished and vulnerable. The tempter comes, offering bread, kingdoms, and testing God’s protection. But Jesus responds with Scripture: “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” In every temptation, Jesus models humility, reliance on God, and unwavering obedience. His resistance reminds us that no matter how strong the enemy’s pull, we can stand firm when rooted in God’s Word.
It’s easy to judge Adam and Eve for their decisions. But if we’re honest, we’ve all made foolish or hurtful choices, maybe even just today. We continue to face the enemy’s schemes, often in subtle ways. Yet, in the midst of our human frailty, we find hope. Jesus’ example shows us that even when we stumble, God’s grace is greater. When Jesus rebuked Satan with “Away with you, Satan!” He demonstrated the power we have in Christ to resist evil. We are not left powerless in our struggles.
And this is the core of our hope: Christ, who faced temptation yet remained perfect, reminds us that we don’t live by bread alone but by every word from God. His victory over sin and Satan is our victory, too. We serve a God who is for us, who offers forgiveness and strength when we fall. During this season of Lent, we are called to reflect on our reliance on Him, giving up what distracts us, sacrificing fleshly desires, and turning our hearts back to worship. When we do so sincerely, we invite God to shape us and help us stand firm against temptation. So, I invite you today: as we enter this season of reflection and sacrifice, remember your humanity. Embrace your need for grace, and rest in the truth that God’s power is with you. Take this time to listen, to surrender, and to be reminded of who you are in Him. May your journey through Lent deepen your trust in Christ, and may you be renewed in His love and strength. Walk in humility, knowing that in our weakness, His grace is made perfect. And in our surrender, we find true strength.
Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer
Luke Gambill 