We all know that in life we go through different seasons and that each season holds a purpose and when we approach it correctly, prepares us for the next. Yesterday as I was thinking about some things, God showed me the wilderness and the island and how very different they are.
I've discovered in each of our journeys going through the wilderness is pretty inevitable, but being on an island has to be sought out.
The wilderness: is a place in the middle. We've come from somewhere and are walking through to another place. Often times, journeying alone and how long we're there is largely up to us. Sometimes while in the wilderness we can feel stuck, sometimes even that we're in quicksand. Even in the event of quicksand when we think we're sinking, all we have to do is remain calm, lean back and rise to the top. Just like life, when we face those sinking situations we should remain calm, lean back on God the source of our strength and freedom, and rise to the top of the thing.
Then mirages can appear causing us to think something is in the wilderness that isn't real. Such as, that person we were so sure was "the one" when they were really a 0. Or that job we were so excited about and positive was ours, only to get the email or call that they decided to go with another. These are only a couple of life's examples. I've learned that the wilderness can also be an emotion that is nothing more than something in our head. Sometimes God will take us through the wilderness to go to where He purposed us to be just like He did the Israelites, but they ended up looking at the situations around them rather than keeping their eyes on Him and ahead at the goal, and most of them died in the wilderness without entering the promise. So our choice is do we go through and grow through our wildernesses in life, or do we get stuck there because of a lack of faith and not see all the GREAT plans God has for our lives?!
"For the LORD thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hand: he knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness: these forty years the LORD thy God hath been with thee; thou hast lacked nothing."
- Deuteronomy 2:7
The island: is a desolate, removed place. You can't get there without purposing to, you can't get off without making an effort and it doesn't lead anywhere but itself. If we try to use it as a transition in our journey, we'll just end up walking in circles because that's all it offers. Now don't get me wrong, some people go to islands to vacation and have a time of refreshing, but most of the time (unless you live in Hawaii :) ) the time there is short and planned and once the time is up, you leave. The danger of the island is it can be used to separate us from our destination, our purpose and even God. When used incorrectly, the enemy can use the island to cause depression, loneliness, defeat and the stay can be longer than ever intended, and unlike quicksand, we have to push and make serious effort to leave.
"Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment"
- Proverbs 18:1
The wilderness can be preparation and the island can be isolation.
Knowing the difference between the two, and which one we experience, is vital.
I can say these things because I've personally experienced both. I've walked through the wilderness alone, and God used it to prepare me, lean on Him, be able to hear His voice so much clearer, and keep my eyes fixed ahead not looking at the surrounding circumstances or getting sidetracked and stuck on a mirage. I've seen many mirages, gotten excited for them, only to get closer and find they were only an imagination, but still can be used for purpose. I've stayed in the wilderness longer than I was supposed to and have possibly missed out on a few things, but I know God is a restorer and I will eventually get the opportunity back and this time will get through faster. I've also CHOSEN to remove myself and go to the island and have a pity woe is me party when it was completely uncalled for and being used for no purpose at all. But now I can speak to both and hopefully help others grow through the wilderness and avoid the island.
A few ideas to
Grow through the wilderness:
- Have periods of self reflection, making sure the wildness is God's purpose and not our own emotions. Be real with ourselves. Check yourself, before you wreck yourself :)
- Make sure our focus is fixed on Him and don't be discouraged or deceived by the surroundings.
- Keep moving forward in faith.
- Increase our prayer life asking for better discernment and really, REALLY listen to His voice so we know what are mirages and what is real. And if we miss it, don't get stuck there. Just keep moving and listen better next time.
- Avoid the "stuck" feeling, and if we feel ourselves sinking, remain calm, lean back, and rise above.
Avoid the island:
- Ask for help. Don't think we have to do it all on our own.
- Spend more time in the word and devotions. When our eyes are fixed on God, and our minds are being renewed, the chances of feeling isolated are less even slim to none.
- Evaluate the people in our lives who are TRUE confidants and the people who are leeches (people only there to suck everything they can out of us and when their done, move on) and people who have listening ears as well as running mouths and their own hidden motives. AVOID THEM
- Spend quality time with those real people and be honest with them. Sometimes they'll tell us to suck it up, or stop feeling ourselves, and most importantly pray with us and provide sound Godly wisdom.
- While with them, don't sugarcoat things. Be real, honest, and transparent with them. God provided us with specific people in our lives to be vulnerable with. Knowing who they are is the 1st important step, and then knowing their specific roles. As my Pastor Mom helped me see, some friends are for specific purposes. The friend at work, the friend you laugh and be silly with, the seasonal friend, the friend who you tell everything and are completely open with. Learn and be honest with ourselves of who is what. It doesn't make them any less than, it provides wisdom for us to have who is purposed and doesn't put pressure on and try to pull something out of someone who didn't have that purpose.
Hope this encourages someone who may be going through the wilderness, and if your someone who's on the island, GET OFF!! :)
Make today GREAT Chosen ones! :)
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