The Mystery of the Wilderness

My wife and I are in the wilderness right now. Since following Jesus for 20 years, we are both familiar with wilderness experiences. 

This one by far is the most strange.

There are many biblical examples of the Wilderness experience. It's mysterious why God created such a thing, but it's affect on the human spirit is undeniable. The affect is great if we are willing to stay in the wilderness until it completes the work it was intended.

We live in a culture where we are taught that if anything uncomfortable happens in our life we think that it is not God or good and secondly we try to avoid it at all costs. Unfortunately, I submit, avoiding the wilderness experience has damaging affects on our character.

It is interesting to note that when God calls someone out, there is often a time of wilderness that follows. Most people know the epic Exodus story. The Hebrews were called out from under the oppressive regime of the Egyptians. The people celebrated the victory that God orchestrated, but soon after complained about the wilderness. They even considered going back to their bondage, for in their minds it was better than traveling through the wilderness. They traveled for 40 years and experienced daily God given provision, but only a few made it to the promise land. 

The beginning of Jesus' ministry here on earth began with a declaration of great pride and pleasure from the Father. God was very pleased with Jesus and his willingness to obey. I can envision a panoramic scene of the baptism administered by John the baptist quickly fading to the harsh reality of the wilderness. John the baptist was fresh off his own stint of wilderness living. Jesus' life was marked with purity of heart and total surrender to the will of the Father,  yet the wilderness was there waiting for Him.

Was it God's good pleasure?

We know the temptations that Jesus experienced during His 40 days in the wilderness. Most who have spent their life in church have heard this story multiple times.

Have you asked yourself, why did Jesus, called by the Spirit, go to the wilderness?

Why would we deny and reject a season In the wilderness.

Can we legitimately hasten our time in the wilderness?

What happens when we chose to shorten it or circumvent it?

When a season of wilderness living is upon you, remember Jesus himself was called by the spirit to partake of its lessons and strange beauty.

Take stock of your life with Christ. Inquire of the Lord for the experience of the wilderness to be beneficial.  

Called out and wandering in the wilderness but not lost.

David