“Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold I will do something new, now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.”- Isaiah 43:18-19  

Do you feel like you are in a spiritual wilderness? If “yes!” - Are you resisting the idea of being in that wilderness? If “no!” - Would you be willing to wander into that wilderness intentionally?  

Wilderness changes people and that’s why we’re invited to the wilderness journey of Lent. Wilderness means challenge, difficulty; it shows us where we still need to grow. Living in the wilderness changes people and that’s why the Spirit drives us there—because the Spirit wants to change us…to mold us, fill us and use us—as God’s kingdom comes near. Be assured that God is ready to do something new with you! And remember - we don’t go on this wilderness journey alone – the Holy Spirit is always with us. 

Wilderness time is not easy but it is definitely clarifying, especially if we can “Be Still and Know” (Psalm 46:10), pray and listen to God speaking to us. When we examine the Bible, in both the Old and New Testaments, God consistently teaches: sit, pray, and wait. Elijah went into the wilderness for forty days to hear the "still small voice" (1 Kings 19:11-18). Esther fasted and prayed for three days before she took the bold and courageous step of going before the king on behalf of her people, knowing it could mean her death (Esther 4:8-16).  Jesus began His ministry by fasting forty days alone in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). He spent an entire night alone in prayer before choosing His twelve disciples (Luke 6:12). 
 
What do these great people of faith teach us? Their example shows us that in order to know God's leading, and to hear His voice – we must listen and wait. When we choose to get alone with God, He promises to meet us there. Jeremiah 29:13-14 says, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you".  

Let the Holy Spirit lead you on a journey into the Wilderness during this Lenten season. Accept God’s invitation to be together when you are there. 

Ron & Suellen Moen