Don't Run From the Wilderness

We read in Matthew 4 that the Spirit of God drove Jesus into the wilderness. So many times over the years I have heard teaching on the wilderness as very negative. I had an experience about eighteen months ago that was one of the most remarkable times the Lord has ever led me through. (I will email you a copy if you request) From this time of transforming, I am convinced the church needs to embrace the wilderness instead of running from it. even if it is from the enemy, the things we can learn from it are rich and valuable!

The other day a young lady told me of a young man who went to Bible College for one year. Then he said God told him to quit college and go home. The young man said God told him He was going to teach him some things, grow him up as it were. So the young man quit college and went back home to live with his parents. He has lived at home with his parents for over a year. It didn't resonate in my spirit that this was of the Lord. I sensed it was nothing more than his flesh telling him to go back home and he mistook it for the Lord. She asked why I thought that because she was sure it was the Lord. This young man was working part time at a church and she felt had really grown so much since she last saw him. The church was the church his father was Youth Pastor of and so we see a real safety net here.

I remarked to this person that I have never seen God send someone to a safe harbor when He was really dealing with them in their lives. To give an example; suppose you want to lose weight and firm up your over all physical shape. This means you began to work out in some sort of program. You have to exercise which can be difficult and usually you experience great pain during this time, as we all know. Your body will respond but sometimes it takes a while. You have to relearn how to eat, sleep and in general to be successful, you must learn a new life style.

After a period of time, the results will begin to show. If you follow this new lifestyle, you will remain healthy and the weight will stay off.

Likewise in the spirit, God will put us through a time of exercise, dieting, tough teaching and yes, we will probably experience pain. If we stay in His program, if we embrace His wilderness, when we come out the other side we will be stronger, leaner and fitter for life.

Young men who join the armed forces must go through training and sacrifice during boot camp to become ready to defend our country if needed. The armed forces would never send a person straight off the streets into battle, they would be trained first. Then during the times of battle, they become seasoned and experienced.

We all learn through times of trial, testing and the wilderness. In most instances we must leave the safety net to learn and grow. I know there are probably exceptions to the rule as always, but in general, this is what I have experienced

The Spirit of God sent Jesus into the wilderness, to be tempted. To say it a different way, it was time for Jesus to grow up and get on with His Father's business. During this time he fasted for forty days. If you have ever been on an extended fast (my longest has been 30 days) you KNOW to a small extent of the pain Jesus went through during this time. Of course satan came after Him with all he had. It was tough and it was hard. It was a battle royal. We can only expect the same if we desire to be prepared for service to the Lord or if we just need some pruning in areas of our lives. When the battle was over, Jesus was the victor and He was now ready for service to the Father.

If you want victory in your life; if you want to grow in the Lord don't expect to be sent into a safe harbor. Don't expect to grow spiritual muscles without exercise and don't expect to have it easy. Every great victory comes only after a great battle. But trust me it is worth it! So don't hide when He points to the desert; don't run away when he leads to the wilderness. Don't run from the wilderness, run to it. It will be worth it when it's over! Trust me, I know!