Out of the Desert

I’ve been in the desert all week, except for a couple days on the mountain…in Arizona…visiting our Dominican daughter, Viviana, and her sweet family!  It’s been a welcomed time of r & r for my man and me.  The unfortunate part is that I started the trip ill with a horrible respiratory infection and, while it has been tempered a bit with a z-pack, it lingers still.  My throat is dry and parched~ like the desert...

^“They did not thirst when He led them through the deserts. He made the water flow out of the rock for them; He split the rock and the water gushed forth.” ~ Is. 48:21 (NASB)

There is something oddly beautiful about the desert.  Mountains and valleys, hills and plains of Umber, Sienna, Indian red…dirt, and dust…and cactus of various sorts!  Prominent in Arizona are all sizes of the Saguaro Cactus.

The Saguaro blossom is the state flower of Arizona. These cacti take up to 75 years to produce a side arm.  The arms are grown to increase the plant’s reproductive capacity.  Some specimens can even live 150 years. They can grow from 15-50’ and begin by seed, not from cuttings. When the rain falls, the Saguaro sucks up the water and visibly expands, storing the water for use as needed.  The fruit of this cactus is ruby red, each one holding about 2000 seeds and sweet fleshy connective tissue.  These fruits are highly prized and edible.  In Arizona it is illegal to tamper with the Saguaro cactus. (Wikipedia)

Intricately designed by the God of the Universe for a specific purpose, and in spite of their peculiar appearance, the Saguaro Cactus  represents the state of Arizona.  Like the Saguaro, there are folks within each of our concentric circles of concern who, also, were intricately designed by God, but feel as though they are wandering in a desert of their own…alone!  Maybe they don’t feel attractive…or talented…or smart…or lovely…or likeable (worse yet, maybe they feel unlovable)…or needed…or wanted…or desired…you fill in the blank.  Yet, everyone has a unique and specific purpose in this life, and represents something (or someone)!  The sometimes daunting task is that of discovering who we are and whose we are!

In Christ, the old is gone and the new has come!  As believers we are dead to the world and alive in Christ Jesus!  Yet knowing that in the head and feeling it in the heart can be diametrically opposed.  There have been times in my life that I have felt as though I was wandering in the desert, all alone, with no real purpose or meaning to my life…feeling worthless and a failure…feeling that  I had so disappointed God that He could never or would never forgive me…NEVER would I be useful to His service.

“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.“  ~ Is. 43:19 (NASB)

BUT GOD…in His infinite wisdom and mercy and His unfailing love…found this parched and dried up ME…and He refashioned the mold of my life to be the best me He wants me to be!

“Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?” ~ Rom. 9:21 (NIV)

I am not “there” yet; but I am on my way, step-by-step, moment-by-moment, day-by-day, from glory-to-glory!  Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow!

Please listen to “Desert Song”  by Hillsong United….and be richly blessed!  (The lyrics are listed below)

VERSE 1:
This is my prayer in the desert
When all thats within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides

VERSE 2:
This is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flame

CHORUS:
I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

VERSE 3:
This is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on its way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise Ill stand

BRIDGE:
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

VERSE 4:
This is my prayer in the harvest
When favour and providence flow
I know Im filled to be emptied again
The seed Ive received I will sow