Have you ever felt as if you were walking through the desert? Tired, hot, thirsty, hungry...wanting an oasis of help and relief, but finding none? Wondering how long it was going to be until you found refuge?
Kristin Armstrong wrote that her time in the desert was so recent that she still had sand in her shoes. I couldn't help but laugh aloud when I read that - what a great way to describe how I feel right now.
I have recently walked through a desert in my life. I, too, feel like the sand is still in my shoes. She (Kristin) said that in the desert lessons are often more profound than when in the beauty of the garden. I don't know if that's always true or not - but I can certainly say that it is often the case where I am concerned. When I am walking through the desert, I fervently seek the refuge of the Lord. I am so thirsty for Him that am continually looking for the living springs of His knowledge, mercy and grace.
I'm glad that I don't have to stay in the desert forever. I'm glad that God brings me to points in my life that are more serene and restful. But I know that walking through the desert is necessary - life is going to be hard and difficult at times. There are times when everything around me seems barren and dry. That is the time when I need to fervently seek the Father and He will rescue me.
"Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert....to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart." Deut. 8:2
I hope that I always remember that God is with me....whether in the desert of the garden. And I hope that trust and faith in Him is what is always in my heart.
