Me: Prodigal, What are you doing way out yonder?
Prodigal: I wanted to take a short walk and suddenly I found myself in the middle of nowhere all alone.
Me: You must have felt alone with no one around and lost.
Prodigal: I did, but then you showed up!
Me: Yes, I knew it was time for our story so I had to go find you. It took a while but you probably could use some encouragement right now.
Prodigal: Yes, I could.
Frederick Buechner is a writer and theologian. One of his inspiring quotes is
To be commanded to love God at all, let alone in the wilderness, is like being commanded to be well when we are sick, to sing for joy when we are dying of thirst, to run when our legs are broken. But this is the first and great commandment nonetheless. Even in the wilderness–especially in the wilderness–you shall love Him.
What does that mean? Any Christian that God is going to use will be in the wilderness. My wilderness will not look like your wilderness. My wilderness will not last the same amount of time as your wilderness but you will be in a wilderness. This is part of maturing with God.
Our response determines if and how God will use you. The wilderness is tough. You have to go through the wilderness alone. You will have encouragement, but this has to be your walk, your pain, and your growth. It is between you and God. He wants to see if you shall love Him?
Do you love Him after a blessing? Do you love Him while you worship? Do you love Him when you pray? Now do you love Him and he is silent? Do you love Him and you are suffering? Do you love Him when you are alone? Do you love Him when you have already giving all and he is asking more?
He is waiting. He is waiting on you. In your heart do you love HIM? When we love Him in the wilderness we LOVE HIM!
Psalm 28:8
The Lord is their strength and he is the saving strength of his anointed.
Jennifer Van Allen,
www.faithincounseling.org
www.theprodigalpig.com
