When He leads me to a barren place, I have learned to recognize two important things about my Father, God; His love for me is incredible and this barren place is not only necessary, but life-giving. Like many Christians, I can celebrate the victories with a rankerous round of shouts. I have taken a run or two around a sanctuary because I was so overwhelmed and emotionally connected to the Source of my every blessing. Just like many Christians, I have asked “why me?”, scoffed at His love when my way was not His highway of choice. But, one day I got it! I got the  news flash, I looked beneath the hurt, harm and tears to see that it was all for my good.

In the desert you are exposed to incredible heat, dust storms that can pulverize rocks and sun rays that can blister and scar skin. The deserts’ environment is unfavorable to all, but those animals or vegetation genetically conditioned to thrive amidst such a brutal climate. Lack of proper measures to protect our physical selves can reek havoc on our mental and physical well-being. It is an atmosphere lacking compassion and capable to cause death. I however, have learned that in the desert I can find life and strength and restoration!

Have you seen an old cathedral restored when its stones were sand blasted by high velocity sand driven by compressed air or steam? Looking at the before and after the building looks brand new after the process. Sometimes, God places me in a desolate place so that I can be alone to hear Him and Him alone. Sometimes He allows me to experience extreme thirst or heat so I can be purged, debrided or sanitized from myself and from every carnal thing and thought that may distract me from “His” assignment for me. He wants to do a new thing in me! Sometimes I have to face discomfort so that I could have only one Source of rescue. Sometimes He just needs to bring me back to life! I am grateful for every desert  visit.

Isaiah 43:19 NIV

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.