Have you been wandering around for way too long trying to find the wonder in your wilderness season?

Things might look bleak and barren, but the wilderness isn’t such a bad place to be. If we squint our eyes just a little, we’ll find Jesus working wonders in the wilderness. He often whisked away to the wilderness to pray. I think He knew he’d find his Father there because God’s been showing up in the wilderness for some time now. He met both Moses and David in the wilderness. I believe He’ll meet us there too.

And, I’ve found, if there’s at least coffee in my wilderness, I am able to make it through. We all need a little pick me up now and then. But, coffee or not, rest assured, there will be wonder in the wilderness.

How to Find Wonder in the Wilderness

There’s wonder in our wanderings. God meets us in the wilderness in the most surprising ways. Like I said, we might have to squint a little. But, I’m certain, if we look closely we’ll catch a glimpse. He always meets us there; most likely though, we’ll have to refocus. We simply need to look up from our circumstances and out with our spiritual eyes.

Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.

Colossians 3:2 (MSG)

Changing our perspective requires a paradigm shift in where our true reality lies. Remembering just how much our Heavenly Father loves us changes our perception; we become Kingdom-minded instead of worldly-blinded.

…fill your thoughts with heavenly realities, and not with the distractions of the natural realm… So you must consider your life in this natural realm as already dead and buried…You are always and dearly loved by God! 
Colossians 3: 2,5,and 12 (TPT)

Consider the Israelites

The Israelites old way of life was long-since dead and buried, yet, they kept looking back in hopeful expectation. The problem was that when they turned their heads, they stumbled. When they took their eyes off the Lord, they fell. Also, when they looked in their bowls, they complained. Finally, when thirsty, they ranted in rebellion.

Sounds all too familiar to me. In my wilderness times, all I wanted was to GET OUT! I cried and wailed and threw a fit or two. Rather than shaking the dust from my feet, I wallowed in the quicksand of my circumstances. And, when chased by the Enemy, I forgot my God always provides an escape route. I looked at my glass as half-empty and embarrassingly, I called what was in my bowl rations instead of provision.

God worked wonders in the midst of His people. However, they couldn’t see it because their eyes were caked with the mud of ‘not enough’ and they couldn’t begin to understand the Lord’s provision. Without a thankful heart, they couldn’t see they had more than enough. At least not until He rinsed their eyes off, giving them the new perspective of plenty.

What they didn’t know…

What they didn’t know is the wilderness was a detour, not their destination. It was more about hosting and habitation with the Lord than pitching a tent or having a home. It was a perimeter of process, not their promised place. Yet, they couldn’t take their eyes off of their circumstances long enough to relish the wonders in the wilderness.

The wilderness was where God met their deepest needs, not in tangible possessions, but in the wonder of His very Presence among them. He went before them and behind, He walked among them by their side; a pillar of smoky cloud by day and a fire by night, all the way, God was with them.

I am sending an angel before you to protect you on your journey and lead you safely to the place I have prepared for you. Exodus 23:20

Can you believe it?

The wonders of provision and protection were an everyday experience and yet they missed it. Instead of embracing the process and participating in the preparation, they refused to lean in and listen. They persisted with their pouting and relentless questions of “Why us?” “How much longer?” And, “When will we ever get there?…” instead of asking “Who?”

Who is this God who leads me and who does He want to be for me in this wilderness season?

We must not trouble ourselves with unanswerable questions, but confidently look beyond our circumstances and see from God’s perspective. When we partner with Him, rather than fighting against Him, breakthrough happens. We will begin to understand the process and provision that ultimately pushes us right into our place of purpose and promise. We will be loved, blessed, and find ourselves walking in the good land He’s given to us.

And this is what will happen:

When you, on your part, will obey these directives, keeping and following them, God, on His part, will keep the covenant of loyal love that He made with your ancestors:

He will love you,
He will bless you,
And, He will increase you. Deuteronomy 7:12-13 (MSG)

More from Deuteronomy

So it’s paramount that you keep the commandments of God, your God, walk down the roads he shows you and reverently respect him. God is about to bring you into a Good Land, a land with brooks and rivers, springs and lakes, streams out of the hills and through the valleys. It’s a land of wheat and barley, of vines and figs and pomegranates, of olives, oil, and honey. It’s land where you’ll never go hungry—always food on the table and a roof over your head. Also, it’s a land where you’ll get iron out of rocks and mine copper from the hills. In that land, you’ll always have plenty…you won’t lack anything. You’ll eat and be satisfied, and then you’ll humbly thank the Eternal you God for the Good Land He’s given you. Deuteronomy 8:6-9

So be very careful to act exactly as God commands you. Don’t veer off to the right or the left. Walk straight down the road God commands so that you’ll have a good life and live a long time in the land that you’re about to possess. Deuteronomy 5:32-33

All He asks of us is to humbly depend on Him as our Provider with an obedient, willing, and thankful heart.

If we keep our focus on the Kingdom, we’ll have eyes to see the wonders He performs in our wilderness. Others will be able to say this about our God.

God, your God, has blessed you with everything you have done. He has guarded you in your travels through this immense wilderness. For forty years now (your whole life), God, your God, has been right here with you. You haven’t lacked one thing. Deuteronomy 2:7 (parenthesis added are mine)

Don’t be afraid of them(your enemies). God, your God—he’s fighting for you. Deuteronomy 3:22 (parenthesis added are mine)

What we can learn

There’s instruction in the wilderness, preparation, and provision too; it’s important to remember it’s a process. Looking at the wilderness experiences in Scripture teaches us what’s really going on. Hindsight and revelation tell us the wilderness is a place of process, preparing our hearts for our promised land.

Whatever was written beforehand is meant to instruct us in how to live. The Scriptures impart to us encouragement and inspiration so that we can live in hope and endure all things. Romans 15:4 (TPT)

When you’ve lost the wonder:

When you are feeling discouraged, beaten-down by the battle, weary from the warfare, or are left wondering where God is in your wilderness season, I pray you’ll remember:

He goes before you as a shield, behind you as a rearguard, and walks beside you on the battlefields of Life and in the wilderness too! Even in our doubting, His Presence is the wonder in the wilderness…look for Him, He’s there.

I’m content to not pursue matters that are over my head~ such as your complex mysteries and wonders~ that I’m not yet ready to understand. Psalm 131:1

Let us keep looking to Jesus. Our faith comes from Him and He is the One Who makes it perfect. Hebrews 12:2

Prayer:

Abba Father, keep our eyes focused on You. Forgive us of our unbelief. Additionally, help us try not to figure it all out on our own, but to look to You as Provider and Protector. May we trust and obey while You lead us into our Promised Land, saying, “Who is like you, O Lord ~ glorious in holiness, awesome in splendor, performing great wonders?”

We love you, Lord. Also, we welcome the wilderness knowing You’ll meet us there. Surprise us, oh Lord, with Your Presence as we journey on our way Home.

If you are having a hard time hearing God’s voice, try reading this post about the Surprising Love Language of God.