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The Wilderness Teaches Us
Rick McDaniel
Well,
one of the wildernesses, there are twenty different ones in the land of the
Bible.
This
Wilderness near Beersheba is where Hagar wandered after being sent away by
Sarah and Elijah fled to escape Queen Jezebel.
The
Wilderness is sometimes thought of as desert yet it is more than just sandy
wastelands it is also barren and rocky.
We
climbed up rocks, looked over cliffs and experienced the dry conditions
firsthand.
It was
a tough hike for twenty first century tourists, for ancient people it was much
worse.
The Wilderness is a picture for
us of hardship and suffering.
We all
go through Wilderness experiences in our walk with God.
Some
don’t want to accept the Wilderness they only want blessings but that is an
unrealistic faith.
Jesus
experienced suffering, the early Church experienced suffering, believers
throughout history have experienced suffering and we will to.
The
question is what can the Wilderness teach us? How can our Wilderness experience
result in spiritual growth?
The Wilderness teaches us humility.
When we
are enjoying success, humility is not our greatest virtue.
Spend a
season in the Wilderness and humility can be discovered.
A time
with lack of resources, few measurable results, relational troubles and health
challenges can humble almost anyone.
Jesus
teaches us to humble ourselves but that is not always easy to do, the
Wilderness experience can do it to us like nothing else.
The Wilderness teaches us
community.
The
harshness of the elements requires help from others to survive.
No one
could make it in the Wilderness for any significant length of time without
assistance.
God has
called us to be a family, a body, a flock that relies on each other.
Learning
to love and support each other through difficult times is our calling.
Since
everyone goes through Wilderness experiences, we either need support and
encouragement or we offer support and encouragement.
The Wilderness teaches us trust.
When we are facing
hardship, disappointment and pain we can be shaken to our very core.
At those moments we either
trust in God’s plan or forfeit our faith.
In the Wilderness we come
to the point where we realize there is no other help but from God.
If we are going to make it
then God must provide He alone must sustain us.
No one welcomes the
Wilderness experience but if we can learn what it teaches, we can have greater
growth in our spiritual life.
Rick
McDaniel
is a noted author, international communicator and church leader. He is the
founder/senior pastor of Richmond Community Church in Richmond, Virginia. The
church is known for its contemporary and innovative services and has a
worldwide reach through www.highimpactchurch.tv. McDaniel
has earned three degrees including a masters degree from Boston College and an
advanced degree from Duke University and is the author of seven books including his
latest "You Got Style." He
has traveled and spoken at conferences and churches worldwide spanning six
continents. Through his writing and speaking he has become an evangelical voice
to the culture on faith matters.
About
High Impact Living
Pastor
Rick McDaniel gives a relevant and Biblical perspective on various life topics
ranging from relationships to business, from marriages to health. Rick is known
for presenting messages that have practical points which can be applied in
everyday life. His inspirational style has motivated thousands of people to
live more impacting lives.
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