Wilderness

I ran across a quote the other day that made me pause a consider something. Here it is.

“Moses does not encounter the living God at the mall. He finds Him (or is found by Him) somewhere out in the deserts of Sinai, a long way from the comforts of Egypt...As did John the Baptist, and his cousin, Jesus, who was led by the Spirit into the wilderness.” - John Eldredge

[This quote was from a Christian news email called The Pour Over that I subscribe to.]

What Mr. Eldridge noted in his quote is true. We often find God in the harshest environments - the wilderness. That's usually because that's when we often seek Him with our whole heart.

Numerous times in the Old Testament, the Israelites cried out in desperation to God - seeking help or sustenance. It's no different for us today.

The question for each of us becomes, "What is/was OUR wilderness? A divorce? The death of a loved one? Drugs? Alchohol? Pornography? An adulterous relationship? The list can be quite lengthy.

"And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." - Jeremiah 29:13

Growing up I got baptized as a baby, went to Sunday school, confirmation class, youth group, and church on Sunday. I got married to my wife in a church because that's what people do, right? But I never KNEW Jesus. I never sought Him with all of my heart.

My "wilderness" came when a local nine-year old girl was kidnapped, raped, and murdered. She was in my daughter's Sunday school class. That's about as "wildernessy" as it gets.

I cried out to God, and rather angrily I guess, but He did answer me and "lifted me out of the pit" as the Psalmist says.

"He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand." - Psalm 40:2

The "rock" that David mentions is Jesus.

When I finally "woke up" and completely trusted in Him, my life began to change. Not all at once, but I began seeing things in a new light. Peace surrounded me, never worrying from that day forward.

If you are walking through a wilderness right now, consider seeking God with your whole heart. He definitely changes your outlook on life. Instead of sand and scorpions, you will see lush vegetation and pools of cool, clear water.

You will find Him, if you seek Him with your whole heart. That's a promise.