God is at work even when you are in the desert....

This weekend we got to talk to the figits about what our walk with Christ is like.

It was interesting to me because all four of us (Russ, Jen, Steve and I) talked about how college/post college was when we really found out who the Lord was and learned to trust him.

When I shared I thought of this analogy: When you are searching for what your purpose is in life, you are in a big  field looking for a path.  But, the problem is that field is all gravel and you are running around trying to figure out who you are, what you should do, who God is but you can't seem to find the "path" because it all looks the same.  Questioning and running around in that field is necessary to finding out who you are and what you believe.  What you do in that field helps create who you are.  But, running in that field is hard work, it is frustrating, and at times your questions aren't always answered.  You feel alone and you question everything, at least I did.  

But, God is at work in that time.

Today at church our pastor talked about Ex 1:15-2:15, it was titled, "Though I walk through the valley."  Something for you to chew on....The Desert Principle: God is at work - often times behind the scene - even when you are in the desert.

What? Wait a minute, that is what I just talked about with my cousins!  Could God be wanting to impress something on me?  Yes.

Short version: Moses made a mistake by killing an Egyptian.  He ran away and left to live in the desert.  During that time he learned a variety of skills such as patience, humility, how to live in the wilderness, how to raise sheep, what to eat, etc.  This was hard.  Moses didn't see God working.  Moses felt alone.  But, lucky us, we get the big picture.  Who knew that Moses would be stuck leading people around the desert for 40 years, trying to free them from slavery?  GOD DID!  Who knew that Moses wasn't ready for that? GOD DID! Who took Moses initial mistake and made good out of it? GOD DID!  What I am trying to say here is even if you are in the desert right now, God knows, God is working behind the scenes and he has got something planned for you.  Know that this difficult season will come to an end.  And, in several years, you are going to look back and say, "Ahhh, now I see what you were doing God."

Also know, that if you are in that difficult season and searching after who God is and how he is working in your life, know that YOU WOULD NOT BE SEEKING GOD UNLESS HE IS ALREADY SEEKING YOU.  Even though He may seem distant...Know, there would be no way you would be seeking Him, unless he sought you out first.  A quote from today, "Trust God's heart, even when you can't trace his hand..."

I think back to the very worst thing that could happen....Jesus Christ was sentenced to death for our sins.  He was beaten, abused, ripped apart, and mocked for me.  It is the very worst thing that could happen, but guess what?  It brought about the best thing that could EVER happen in this world.  A promise to live forever with the savoir of the universe.  Who is feeling loved, taken care of, and blessed today?....This girl. 


This was an awesome sermon and I encourage you to go listen...It spoke to me and I hope it speaks to you too.  (Click on Launch Media Player, and then the sermon on the top "How God Shapes us Through the Events in our Lives)