The Journey

It's been a long one. When God called me into the wilderness 2,446 days ago, I didn't know that was where we were going. I had been a Chrisitan for almost 20 years at the time, but I was definately luke warm. Drinking alcohol every night, engaging in pre-marital sex, and basically living like the world and for myself instead of for Him. It didn't start out that way, I was on fire for the Lord when I first met Him. And even for a few years after. But there I was, years later, living in sin, professing to love Jesus.

The metaphor of the wilderness refers to several environments and experiences in the Bible. Moses being in the backside of the desert tending sheep, Jesus being led into the wilderness to fast for 40 days and be tempted of the devil, and the Israelites dwelling in the wilderness for 40 years before entering their promised land. It is a time of being stripped of everything, learned to trust and lean on God while getting to know His Word and His character.

Revelation 3:15,16 became reality in my life. "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot: I would rather you to be cold or hot. So then because you are lukewarm, and not cold or hot, I will spue you out of my mouth." God handed me over to satan, as described in 1 Corinthians 5:5; "To deliver such a one to satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus Christ." This chapter begins by describing the fornication the people were engaging in at the time.

Yes, the journey through the wilderness has been long, excruciating, devastating, tumultuous, and at times unbearable. I wanted to give up. I wanted to throw in the towel. But while in the midst of all the pain, God was there, speaking tenderly to me. (Hosea 2:14) He always had a place prepared for me. (Revelation 12:6) And He was there reasurring me that I would make it through . (Deuteronomy 8:15-20) Now I am changed. I made it. I am ready to be all that He created me to be.