The Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years.
In their wandering, they became so focused on themselves and their circumstances,
they forgot that God was with them.
God’s chosen people forgot who they were and they forgot who God was.
Though the Israelites wandering would eventually lead them to their freedom,
there was purpose in the desert that went beyond their destination.
Our deserts have purpose too. Our wilderness wandering isn’t wasted.
We don’t have to know where it will lead to know that God is working.
He is for us. He is faithful. We can trust in his goodness and his plan.
Sometimes in our hurry to get to the relief of the rescue,
we miss the sweetness of his whispers while we wait.
When we lift our hands and our eyes in worship,
we are reminded of who he is and who we are in him.
As we worship, our focus is shifted from self to the One who satisfies.
He is our all sufficient sustainer.
He remains our Savior regardless of the climate or season we find ourselves in.
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When you've been in the desert, you feel it.
Dry, thirsty, and dusty from the lack of water
there is no mistaking your location.
Here in the desert, patience is difficult and the enemy is real.
Whispered lies of defeat are amplified because what you hear around you is empty.
Nothing.
Hope is swiftly hollowed out by the weight that brought you to this wasteland.
How did you get here? What are you doing here?
Did you take a wrong turn?
Does it matter?
You're here.
You can choose to close your eyes when the wind picks up
and the grains of sand are beating against your fragile skin.
You can choose to lay down in defeat and despair
when the thirst is killing you and the heat is too much,
but pretending you are somewhere else
doesn't ever make it so.
The only way out of this desert is through it,
and you're not getting out of here alone.
Lift up your eyes. Lift up your hands.
The rain is coming.
You have already been rescued.
Let him pull you out.
He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain watering the earth. Hosea 6:3
-Aimee Thornton
Worship Associate
Editor's note: In addition to leading our weekend worship, Aimee also creates the liturgy for our weekend services.