Some things are beyond understanding. Like why “cough,” “though,” and “rough” are pronounced differently. Why pineapples don’t contain apples. Why Hallmark has a “countdown to Christmas”—although they air Christmas movies all year long. And why God takes people into the wilderness.
Moses spent forty years in the Midian wilderness tending sheep. Hagar wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba. Elijah headed into southern Judea’s wilderness when he despaired of life. Jonah’s wilderness was inside a huge fish. Joseph’s wilderness was inside an Egyptian prison.
My head understands the wilderness is a place of testing, transformation, and preparation. I get that God loves us where we are, but He also loves us enough to not leave us as we are.
Paul’s years in Arabia prepared him to preach and teach despite countless hardships. (Many scholars think his time in Arabia ended with an unsuccessful attempt to preach to the Nabataeans in Petra.) God in the form of the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted before He started His public ministry.
But my heart asks, “Does God have to work that way today?”
Our Americanized view of Christianity wants to think “no, He’s kinder than that.” Or somehow He has “evolved” since New Testament times.
But God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. When He wants to level up our faith, He often takes something from us for a time. Safety. Health. Comforts like familiarity. Finances. Family.
The list is as unique as each person. To be clear, God doesn’t cause illness or divorce. But if He allows it to pass through His sifter, He will use it for His purposes—even if that means leading us into a wilderness.
Ouch.
And we don’t need to have done anything “wrong” for Him to lead us there.
Daniel and his friends did nothing to deserve exile in Babylon. Jesus’ disciples had just finished an intense time of ministry when they found themselves rowing against gale-force winds on the Sea of Galilee.
In each case, God wanted to next-level their faith. To prepare them for what was around the bend.
The wilderness strips us of all nonessentials. It can seem unforgiving, but God promises He will carve a path for us if we will pay attention to Him.
I just wish He would do it in a different way. A less painful way.
He could. But He doesn’t.
Maybe that’s the point.
The discomfort reminds us to rely on God alone. To make Him our top priority instead of an afterthought. To trust His promises no matter how we feel. To wait through His silence when we scream for Him to move a mountain in our life. To believe His intentions for us are always good—especially when the world seems set against us.
Are you in a wilderness right now? If you feel comfortable sharing a bit of your journey in the comments, I and other readers can pray for you. Most important, I pray you’ll take heart. God promises He’s walking with you in it and will see you through it.
Father, you know we are dust. Bruised reeds. Strengthen us for whatever You intend for us. Give us joy in the midst of the pain. Lend us Your strength so we can survive and thrive. We believe and claim that Your plans for us are greater than we can ever imagine. In Your powerful Name, amen.
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MUSIC BONUSES
Powerful songs to remind us He is still with us:
“Another in the Fire” by Hillsong
“Praise you in the Storm” by Casting Crowns
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