Saturday, July 12, 2008

Wilderness

This is a flower from my yard. If you knew me and my yard, you'd be saying "no way!". I don't really like to work in the yard, but I do what it takes for our yard to not look horrible.

This poor rose bush has been right here beside the porch since we moved in. I know you're suppose to prune rose bushes a certain way and they need something to climb on, but has any of that been done in the three years that we've lived here? Nope.

You could say that this poor rose bush is in the wilderness, but check it out....a bloom! It fought it's way through and produced this gorgeous flower in spite of it all.

I'm a lot like this rose bush right now. I'm in the wilderness and fighting my way through.

Priscilla Shirer at the Deeper Still Event spoke on the wilderness. I always thought that the Isrealites 'wondered' around the wilderness in a sort of lost state, but Exodus 13:17-18 says that God choose the wilderness for them...He lead them there...on purpose! And not only that, He gave them the opportunity to see and hear Him with their own eyes!

He has lead me here as well...on purpose! The question is how will I resond to the wilderness? Will I be bitter from these wounds? Will I turn my back? Or will I see and hear Him with my own eyes?

Hosea 6:1-3 says that He has torn us but will heal us..has wounded us but will bandage...will revive...and will raise up.

I will rest in my wilderness. I'd rather be protected in my wilderness by the God of the universe than away from God in comfort.

Carrie

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Amen, Sister!

Anonymous said...

Lean on Him my friend and let Him give you rest.

Beautiful rose. A fantastic example of God's love shining through no matter what.

Clements, party of 5 said...

oh, sweet sister, beautifully written! Praying he will give you treasures in dark places!