[4 min read—client resource]
A recent friend of mine went for a run in the desert. She was telling us about her experience and she said, “everywhere I looked all I saw was sand. I didn’t even know what direction to go in. Thankfully, I was with someone who did.” Her words really resonated with me, but at the time I didn’t understand why. It wasn’t until later that I realized, that’s how I felt in my spiritual life. I felt like I was lost in the wilderness and I didn’t know where to go.
Have you ever felt this way? Like you are in the wilderness season where you feel directionless, confused, maybe even lost? I’ve felt this numerous times in my life, but recently I’ve felt it more than ever. I’ve had a lot of life transitions: moving to a new city, starting a new job, finding a new church, and I will be graduating from graduate school in a few months. While all of these are fun, good, and exciting, can I be honest with you? They’ve left me feeling scared, lost, and overwhelmed.
I’ve cried out to God and asked for wisdom, guidance, discernment, and direction so I would know what the next step is. I’ve felt like for months, my prayers have been hitting the ceiling. Have you ever felt that way? Where you are fervently praying for an answer and desperately seeking it and you get a no, a not yet, or even worse.. silence. I can’t be the only one who feels this way, right?
This has caused me to slow down and ask, “Lord, what are you trying to teach me?” “What are you trying to show me that I’ve been missing?” God in His kindness and grace started to show me so many things and I want to share some of those with you. My prayer is this will be an encouragement to you like they’ve been for me.
Rest in God
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
Often when we think of rest we think of physical rest like more sleep or taking a nap (those sound great!) but the rest this verse is referring to is a soul rest, which is much deeper. I think this level of rest leads to a more intimate relationship with God and where we experience more of His peace. Now doesn’t that kind of rest sound wonderful?! So, if it sounds so great, then why don’t we have this rest and peace in our lives all the time?
I think the world keeps us busy, with all the to-do lists and maxed out schedules we barely have time to breathe, much less rest. So, how is this possible? Is it even possible? I think it is. It will just require intentionality and prioritizing what matters most in our lives… our relationship with God! Sometimes we get so distracted by all the things of this world that we neglect sitting at the feet of Jesus. I recently realized I was “doing” more for Him than “being” with Him. Can you relate?
Release All Control
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
Proverbs 19:21
Now that we are resting in God the next step is to release all control over to Him! Can I be honest with you? Sometimes I think with all my planning and to-do lists, I ‘feel’ like I’m in control. However, I know it’s a false sense of control because I’m not really in control. God is in control. He is the One who is Sovereign over all and can see how all the pieces fit together. So, why do I think I can somehow do a better job of controlling things? Lord, please forgive me. May we surrender our plans, purposes, and dreams to Him and trust He knows what is best.
Run the Race
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:1-2
We’ve learned to rest in God, release all control to Him, and now we can run the race. You may be wondering, how can I run the race if I don’t know which direction to go in? I think it’s not so much about where we go, but about what or I should say Who we focus on. “And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” That’s the whole purpose of this life, right? To fix our eyes and gaze on Jesus. To remember how much He loves us. He lived a perfect, sinless life, a life we could not live and died the death we all deserve and is now in Heaven. One day we will see Him face to face, oh what a glorious day that will be! Until then may we be faithful and obedient right where God has us today as we run this race one step at a time.
I know our time is coming to an end so I will end with this. While wilderness seasons are so hard and can feel like they are never going to end, be encouraged that it’s only a season. This too shall pass. As my friend was thankful she was with someone who knew the way out of the desert, we too know Someone who can help us through the wilderness. Rest in God, release all control to Him, and run the race well, my friend.