The desert

Lately, I’ve been in the desert. The hot, dry, barren desert. The desert for me is symbolic of my state of mind or state of spiritual mind. Here’s why I call it the desert. 
In the Bible, God’s people (the Israelites) were in slavery. Moses says, “God says to let His people go.” The pharaoh says, “no.” This back and forth continues while God sends a bunch of plagues to force the pharaoh to free the Israelites. Eventually, the pharaoh gives in and frees God’s people. And off they go, trudging through the hot desert. God led the journey of the Israelites through the desert to the promised land-a beautiful land of abundance. He stayed with his people while they were in the desert feeding them and caring for them on their journey. 

Once they reached the promised land, they were too afraid to enter. There is more to this story, but here’s the point. My blessings are here. They haven’t moved. I am surrounded by beauty and grace. I have hugs and snuggles. I have laughter and singing. My husband is sober, my children are fed, but I am human. I get discouraged, tired, scared, and overwhelmed. I am not living in bondage or slavery. But some days, I can’t seem to find my way into the promised land either. 

Some days I’m fumbling around, trying to put a smile on my face because I feel defeated. These are my desert days. God led the Israelites through the desert. He never left them. Actually, that was when He was the closest. He fed them just enough to keep them moving toward the promised land. He led them to it. But it was their job to enter. 

I’m going to allow myself a few days in the desert, because sometimes we just need to be dry and barren, and close to God’s presence where we have to rely on Him for every step. But we aren’t meant to stay there. 

Remember, there is great purpose in standing in each of these places. 

But we are meant to soak up the abundance of His blessings on us. He takes us right to the edge of the promised land, but we have to enter willingly.  Love and grace to each of you on this beautiful day. 

❤️ Shalom

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