Extended in The Desert
When Kyle was preaching this week on what we do when we find ourselves extended in the desert, I was reminded of a song I had heard many years ago and actually became a focus song for me during a Lenten journey.. It was called “Cry for the Desert” by Twila Paris. I know what you might be thinking, “Who, in their right mind would cry for the desert experience to come?” We might want to cry IN the desert, right, but FOR it? Now add to that, welcoming the extension of time and rejoicing in it. Come On!
Who among us has not suffered in the desert? Kyle said this (and I paraphrase); the desert is a place where there is little evidence that God IS who He says He Is! It is a place to encounter God in a different way. We need a compass to guide us through the desert and out, and though we try so many other things as our “true north”, the only thing to rely on is the presence of Jesus.. We are not crafted to hold the weight of God and must walk in the shadow of omniscience or under the covering of the Holy Spirit.
What happens when we step out from under the blanket? The enemy uses this challenging time to magnify the hardships, the discouragement and to question the very nature of God. It is important to notice that I said WE step out of the covering, God does not ever remove himself from us.
Out of the cloud of light and love that God extends over us, we can sit safely under his protection and just be present with Him, extending ourselves into the very heart of Christ. We can give sustained attention to the Father and seek what He is doing IN us for this season. In other words, this extended time in the desert gives us the time to discern God’s voice in the seemingly empty, dry quiet place of the wilderness. In the solitude we find deeper places of connection and truly can begin to hear the still, small whisper of our loving God. This is our path to freedom, that is what the wilderness is For and that my dear friends is why we cry FOR the desert.
When I think back to my past times in the desert: periods of loss, emptiness, grief, disappointment, economic hardships, separation, failure and even abuse, I would not necessarily choose to walk through those things again, but deep in my soul, I am so grateful for the deep places it forged in me of trust, patience, resilience, mercy, grace and love as I learned to hear and rely on Jesus.
When we begin to step out of the desert, we can leave behind the hardship and uncertainty; however, it is my prayer that we step into our times of abundance and light with the heart and lessons from our time in the shadows, and we continue walking, hearing and relying of the ever-present and omniscient Father every step of our journey growing deeper into the heart of Christ. The desert experience “seasons” us to walk in the light.
-Kay
Kay Suzelis and her husband Len live in Lake Milton, and Kay serves as the Intermediate School Principal for the LaBrae Local School District.
