The wilderness

The other morning, during my moment with God, I thought about being conformed into the image of Christ. I was content and at peace to know I don't need to look like someone else or try hard for it. Iam encouraged knowing that moulding us into His image is the work of God. This is not to undermine my responsibility to co-operate with the Spirit but the fact that there is someone designing and tailoring my live uniquely just the way I am created to be is so comforting. The fact that I am not incharge of my life consoles me deeply in my circumstance and the truth that I am His responsibility makes me rest even more secure! Then I asked the Holy Spirit what happens when a believer does not work with Him. He brought to my attention that He intercedes for us with groans that cannot be expressed. Oh the love of God! You can't really go wrong y'know. His love is all around us.

I often struggle to find peace and comfort. As an alien in a foreign land, culture shock was not something I was prepared for. I had been abroad several times and really, I didn't think the new world would shock me until I faced situations. They were enrinching experiences but on hindsight, had I worn shock absorbers, the rides would have been smoother. Often, it took me quite a while to understand and get my nerves work together again. 

I console myself from the preaching I heard on a Sunday. The preacher said the Holy Spirit led Jesus in the wilderness to be tempted. That rang a bell in my ears because I identify myself as living in a spiritual wilderness. I am reminded of Moses. He had a season of wilderness as he was tending his father-in-law's flock. He was doing the very job that the Egyptians had despised and must have been quite a humbling experience having lived as a prince back home. But it was in the wilderness that God met with Moses and got his calling. God revived his passion. Moses had wanted to save his fellow Israelites from their oppression but the expression of his zeal was a huge mistake. He became a murderer. Fearing Pharaoh, he had to flee to the land of Midian. Moses might have often thought about his past but there was no way he was going to regard himself as 'a prince and a judge' over Israel. He had a new profession and besides, he had a family to look after. His years in the wilderness had cooled off his boiling blood so much so that, when God attracted his attention and entrusted with the task of saving His people, Moses had all the excuses he could think of. But God was much more determined to fulfill His covenant through Moses than give in to his excuses. So God solved Moses' problem by assuring him and ushering his brother Aaron into the scene. God knows us too well to not send us without equipping us. This is what I love about God. God is not a thundering unrealistic fool. Like Moses, we may be acutely aware of our shortcomings but it's His job to equip us just as He did with Moses, Jesus and His children. His children are His responsibility. What father will give a stone if his child asks for bread? Moses became a power packed leader.

Jesus was led by the Spirit in to it whereas Moses was led by circumstance. During this season, Moses learnt to be humble and lead the flock. Jesus spent time to die of self and defeat Satan with the Word. I am reminded of David too. Before he was anointed, he had learnt to fight against big animals to face a bigger predator, Goliath. I am sure he also honed his musical skills while tending the flock.

Similarly, to equip us for His purpose, God teaches us something in the wilderness. It may not be the same for everyone but it is evidently, a time of preparation for the future. We may feel out of sorts, incapacitated or disheartened. Also, the wilderness isn't a place of  comfort, it is a place of loneliness. You simply take one step at a time and go with the flow. You are still holding on to something but you've no clue where that is taking you. You only know you've got be faithful and obedient with the little you have.

Clueless as the vessel may be, the Potter carefully moulds His masterpiece with gentle patience into someone for His great purpose. What I love about God is that He never does things in vain neither does He wastes anything. He is an expert in making life beautiful and turning it around for the best. This is not to legalise deliberate sin. You will always get the best of the situation.What He started, He will bring it to fruition. You are His workmanship and His responsibility. He only creates what is good. And in 'quietness and trust' will you find strength.

The wilderness isn't a place one would have gladly chosen but the consequence of this experience is absolutely powerful and turns the world upside down. It creates history! Like Jesus, you will come out 'in the power of the Spirit' ready to take the world.