Wilderness. It is an extensive area, such as a desert or ocean, that is barren or empty; a wasteland. It is a place where the wild roams free and anything can happen in it. It is often viewed as a place to fear and avoid. It is a forsaken land where even the thought of stepping into it is a taboo. However, the word wilderness is a common sight in the Bible. The children of Israel spent 40 years in the wilderness, David seek refuge in the wilderness when he was hunted by King Saul and Jesus Himself spent 40 days in the wilderness. Have you ever journeyed across the wilderness? Or are you being forced into the wilderness through the circumstances that you face?

The choice of allowing ourselves to end up in the wilderness is within our grasp. There are three options that is opened to us.

1) Disobey God. Complain and grumble about everything that we face and be discontented with what we have. The manna is so dull, we want quail! You will see yourself being stripped of all and earning a ticket into the desert just like the children of Israel.

"In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron." - Exodus 16:2

2) Disaster arises. Calm sea turns to grave storm. Grief strikes, disappointment lurks. That's when we retreat into the wilderness for refuge just as David did.

“Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge.” – Psalms 16:1

3) Devotedly obedient. Allowing ourselves to be sacrifices for God on the altar. We diligently march into the wilderness just as Jesus did.

“At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.” Mark 1:12-13

Options 1 and 2 looks familiar doesn’t it? Why must it be when we are stripped of all only then we turn to the Saviour? Why must we cling on to the things that does not last and only to let it go when God made us to? Why aren't we just be contented with what we have? Does complaining about the things we doesn't have brings us any good? Take sometime to think about the bout of questions. If you are in the wilderness because of Option 3 I applaud you but be ready for the bout of trials and temptations that will come your way.

It is in the wilderness, we are in solitude. It is where God works to break us completely. In the wilderness there is nothing. In the wilderness there is no one. When everything fades away, our daily routine, our work, our studies, our friends and when we are left with nothing. That's when we can hear the gentle whispers of God. The world drowns us in an echo of demands. Deadlines, examinations, activities, responsibilities. In the midst of the echoes, can you actually hear the gentle whispers of God?

God lead us into the wilderness so that we can hear His voice.

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” – Psalm 46:10

From Duck to Swan
Signing out at 11:11am - 19th March 2007