Wilderness
Wilderness, a wild and uncultivated region, as of forest or desert, uninhabited or inhabited only by wild animals; a tract of wasteland.
Wilderness, a tract or region uncultivated and uninhabited by human beings.
When I think of wilderness, I think of uncharted territory for the purpose of preparation. Either God is physically leading us to a new place, and/or God is preparing us for a new thing, and/or a new assignment, or all three. Most definitely he is taking us somewhere. The wilderness is not the same as the desert tough the wilderness can have a desert and a desert can have a region of wilderness. But that's besides my point. Just know whether wilderness or desert, nothing is wasted. God can use all things and turn it for our good and benefit. One thing is for certain, he daily invites us to go on adventure with him.
During a wilderness season, God draws us into this intense, greenhouse of solitude where there are minimal distractions. It's just him and us. This also may mean that in the process, there may be fewer "signs or confirmations or affirmations" that we have grown comfortable and accustomed too. But make no mistake, God is still working and he still speaks. It just may sound and feel differently than other seasons. Jesus is training our ears, eyes and heart to perceive his ways and hear his voice in the other creative but equally intimate ways he has permitted. Oftentimes, it's through the written word, the holy and perfect scriptures. It's through the gift of remembrance. We recall, remember and recount his blessings and faithfulness of past to give us the courage to blaze a trail in the wilderness. And other times, we just sense and feel his presence, his nearness, his love, peace and comfort. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit enables us to be confident and have the assurance that God is with us and he is for us.
Though the wilderness season can feel raw, unfiltered, unrefined and rustic, it's also beautifully authentic and honest. It's a pure and an unadulterated time with the Lord. We feel like our truest self. The best version of us. We are not striving, performing. We simply are being who he has created us to be, a son and a daughter. What we thought we needed or who we thought we were suppose to be or do, is peeled away. Sometimes it feels like a shedding. There are times when he cuts, prunes and kneed in order to mold, shape, form us. Other times, we peel or shed or shake off some times.
In the wilderness, we re-learn to walk with God daily. To live from a place of rest and taking one day at a time. We're forging our way through by simply following the Father and that is taking one step at at time. There is an ease and a less complicated pace. We take one day at a time. We simply do the work that is before us that day.
We rest.
We worship.
We pray.
We be.
It's truly remarkable and beautiful. It's probably incredibly painful for the one who craves control, the complete set of direction and road map, the end destination, the business plan and model, the high achiever or performer. But I'm learning the gift found in the wilderness.
The wilderness strips us of every thing we thought we needed, so that God can remind us again that He is our source and our provision. God is not a consolation prize. He is our true and greatest reward. God uses this time to remind us of who we are and who he has called us to. And in that, we are reminded of who he is and what we have been called to do. God will not show us what to do until he shows us who we are.
A wilderness season does not necessarily mean it is a time of correction or discipline due to sin. Though we can receive clarity, adjustments or further disciplined in some area of our life during the wilderness. Jesus entered into the wilderness for a time of prayer and fasting for 40 days. During that time, he was tempted by Satan and each time, by the truth of scripture, he put the enemy back in his place. He was strengthened, fortified in his purpose. John the Baptist grew up in the wilderness until an appointed time, he literally came out of the wilderness all for one reason, to prepare the way for the Lord. He preached the message of repentance and salvation. He discipled people and baptized them.
Friend, we are all walking through varied degrees and levels of wilderness in this season. Let's not waste this unprecedented and divine pause and reset moment we have been given to lean in and glean from our father. We have an incredible opportunity to sit at his feet and get lost in him in awe and wonder. I want to come out stronger and better, the truest version of me!
Wilderness, a tract or region uncultivated and uninhabited by human beings.
When I think of wilderness, I think of uncharted territory for the purpose of preparation. Either God is physically leading us to a new place, and/or God is preparing us for a new thing, and/or a new assignment, or all three. Most definitely he is taking us somewhere. The wilderness is not the same as the desert tough the wilderness can have a desert and a desert can have a region of wilderness. But that's besides my point. Just know whether wilderness or desert, nothing is wasted. God can use all things and turn it for our good and benefit. One thing is for certain, he daily invites us to go on adventure with him.
During a wilderness season, God draws us into this intense, greenhouse of solitude where there are minimal distractions. It's just him and us. This also may mean that in the process, there may be fewer "signs or confirmations or affirmations" that we have grown comfortable and accustomed too. But make no mistake, God is still working and he still speaks. It just may sound and feel differently than other seasons. Jesus is training our ears, eyes and heart to perceive his ways and hear his voice in the other creative but equally intimate ways he has permitted. Oftentimes, it's through the written word, the holy and perfect scriptures. It's through the gift of remembrance. We recall, remember and recount his blessings and faithfulness of past to give us the courage to blaze a trail in the wilderness. And other times, we just sense and feel his presence, his nearness, his love, peace and comfort. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit enables us to be confident and have the assurance that God is with us and he is for us.
Though the wilderness season can feel raw, unfiltered, unrefined and rustic, it's also beautifully authentic and honest. It's a pure and an unadulterated time with the Lord. We feel like our truest self. The best version of us. We are not striving, performing. We simply are being who he has created us to be, a son and a daughter. What we thought we needed or who we thought we were suppose to be or do, is peeled away. Sometimes it feels like a shedding. There are times when he cuts, prunes and kneed in order to mold, shape, form us. Other times, we peel or shed or shake off some times.
In the wilderness, we re-learn to walk with God daily. To live from a place of rest and taking one day at a time. We're forging our way through by simply following the Father and that is taking one step at at time. There is an ease and a less complicated pace. We take one day at a time. We simply do the work that is before us that day.
We rest.
We worship.
We pray.
We be.
It's truly remarkable and beautiful. It's probably incredibly painful for the one who craves control, the complete set of direction and road map, the end destination, the business plan and model, the high achiever or performer. But I'm learning the gift found in the wilderness.
The wilderness strips us of every thing we thought we needed, so that God can remind us again that He is our source and our provision. God is not a consolation prize. He is our true and greatest reward. God uses this time to remind us of who we are and who he has called us to. And in that, we are reminded of who he is and what we have been called to do. God will not show us what to do until he shows us who we are.
A wilderness season does not necessarily mean it is a time of correction or discipline due to sin. Though we can receive clarity, adjustments or further disciplined in some area of our life during the wilderness. Jesus entered into the wilderness for a time of prayer and fasting for 40 days. During that time, he was tempted by Satan and each time, by the truth of scripture, he put the enemy back in his place. He was strengthened, fortified in his purpose. John the Baptist grew up in the wilderness until an appointed time, he literally came out of the wilderness all for one reason, to prepare the way for the Lord. He preached the message of repentance and salvation. He discipled people and baptized them.
Friend, we are all walking through varied degrees and levels of wilderness in this season. Let's not waste this unprecedented and divine pause and reset moment we have been given to lean in and glean from our father. We have an incredible opportunity to sit at his feet and get lost in him in awe and wonder. I want to come out stronger and better, the truest version of me!
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