Deserts

So the past few weeks i have felt like i was in a desert. My devo times were lacking, i had trouble focusing, trouble reading, trouble concentrating, felt like i couldnt connect with God, couldnt find Him, see Him, etc. Prayer time felt like i was just reciting words. Worshipping at theMill wasnt special anymore. something was missing and it bothered me a lot. It got to the point where i was thinking "if i skip devo's it wont matter. i wont be missing anything". But, thankfully, God has made devo's the most important part of my day so i persisted. even when they continued to be dry i kept seeking Him, searching for Him.

As i searched, the more frustrated i became. I couldnt figure out what to do. I read the bible, studied it, studied verses, actions, people, stories. Tried reading the old testament, new testament. I prayed. I listened to music and worshipped along. I attacked everything from every angle i knew how to, and nothing was working.

Finally i got to the point where i just sat and said "God, i dont understand this. ive done everything. i hate feeling like this. but i know youre trying to teach me something. im not smart enough to figure out what it is, i cant find it on my own. help me. ill wait in this desert until you lead me out"........ and that thought processed into another thought, and another, and another. until i found myself sitting almost in tears thinking about all the people in the world that live in the desert ALL DAY, EVERY DAY. The people who dont know Jesus as their Lord and Savior live in the desert. They have no idea there is anything else. I believe that is why there is so much debauchery in the world, they are trying to find something better than the desert. But believers in Christ know the desert isnt where we were meant to live. We complain about having to go through the desert, but how much we should rejoice that we dont have to LIVE there.

God doesnt live in the desert. We see Jesus going into the desert to be tempted by Satan himself. We see moses wandering for 40 years in the desert, looking for the Promised Land. We see God promise us green pastures and still waters. None of these things describe a place where God wants us to live. For indeed, we dont live there once God has saved us. Once we have been lead out of the desert. We know there is a better place, know the desert wasnt meant for us. And i feel we shoudlnt keep it a secret. We should tell everyone we can that the desert isnt where they should live, but that there is a better place out there. and that everyone is invited to it.

So what started off as me complaining about being in a desert, God showed up in a powerful way and changed my perspective so i could see how blessed i was to merely bein the desert for a little while.

Thank you God. You are a great God indeed. Glory and Honor be to your name, forever and ever. Amen.