“When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.” (Acts 8:29-40).
Some of us will walk it through. Some of us will be delivered from it en route. But all of us, every last one of us, will come to the end of our desert road.
We have come to ours…at least as far as our focused time on the life of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch is concerned. It is time. It has been a hard write for me, but it has been worth my pause. I hope that you can say the same. As I’m writing, I realize that the “ending” of my words in the matter, doesn’t necessarily mean the ending of our deserts. In many ways, desert dwelling will be our portion until we see our Jesus face to face.
How you finish this thing—this one life that you have been given—will walk its own unique and highly individualized cadence. Your conclusion may not punctuate like mine. Your timing may sequence different than mine. Your difficult may temperature hotter than mine. That is the way of a desert walk. Each uncertain sand that we pilgrim is allowed us by God for an intent that sometimes exceeds our appreciation.
How he chooses to flesh out his intention is exactly that—his choosing. There is mystery divinely woven into a desert’s allowance. We will not always understand God’s sovereignty in the matter. And what is not always understood often becomes the breeding ground for…
doubt.
frustration.
anger.
silence.
guilt.
tears.
depression.
quit.
_________________.
Indeed, if our focus remains mired in our misunderstandings, we fall prey to spiritual blindness. To eyes that cloud with the current rather than vision toward the horizon. But when our focus shifts to the providence of God’s leading in the desert, our eyes and our hearts birth something far greater than confusion. Consecrated focus yields seeds of…
faith.
trust.
peace.
perserverance.
wholeness.
witness.
joy.
follow through.
want to.
Philip and the Ethiopian kept their focus in the desert, and at the end of the day, each man received a portion of God’s consecrated provision and promise for his life. They received Jesus, both in the giving and in the receiving of Truth. They couldn’t have known on the front end of a desert’s embrace how the ending would paint. They simply took to the road with God as the objective.
And when you and I pilgrim a desert road for the same reason, we can rest in the assurance that, like Philip and the eunuch, our Father holds the brush on our behalf. He is after a masterpiece in each one of us—a portrait worthy of the throne room of heaven. He never rushes the process. He times it for his advantage, and ultimately for ours. Our hand in that process?
Relinquishing the brush and the canvas and the palette of colors to the One who always paints with holy consecration in mind.
The portrait that God painted in Acts, chapter eight, is completed with the brushstrokes of two men rejoicing and moving on. One returned, most likely, to his Ethiopian homeland with fresh perspective. One was literally snatched from the scene by the Spirit of God and painted onto the landscape of a Caesarean community where he would continue in the ministry of the Gospel (see Acts 21:8). Their paths would never cross again on this side of eternity, but I believe that both men would tell us that their desert detour was worth the gain.
This, my friends, is the way of a desert road when Jesus is sought. When he becomes the focus of our pursuit—no matter the climate, the terrain, the hot and the hard—he is found. He is the Gain. The great Reward on the front end, at the close, and with every pause in between.
Jesus is the joy of the desert. Regardless of your current condition…regardless of how tedious your now…there is holy consecration to be found in all seasons of living. This is the sure promise we take with us as we move on from here.
Let us walk it like we mean it. Let us live it like God means for us to live it. On purpose. With purpose. For his holy and consecrated purpose, now and forever. And by all means, let us do it together. And so I pray…
Burn your purpose into my life, Lord. Let it breathe the witness of your presence, no matter my road. Whether in heat or in mild…in sands or in solid…keep my eyes fixed to the horizon. Bolster my “want to” and shepherd my “follow through” until I see your consecrated purpose birthed within me. Keep my heart in tune with yours, and never let me forsake the needs of the brethren because my needs breathe too needy. Thank you for the desert, Lord. Thank you for its heated embrace that has brought me refinement. Thank you for the road that leads me home to you. Amen.
Copyright © July 2008 – Elaine Olsen. All rights reserved.
Today we finish this series on “Living Our Consecrated Deserts.” Thank you for coming alongside and studying this portion of Scripture with me. I welcome your thoughts and comments in the matter. I will be stepping away from the computer for a few days to spend some time with my young ones while the other members of my family are in Bolivia. I will be checking in from time to time, but strongly feel I need a pause. God bless you each one. I look forward to hearing from you in the days ahead. Shalom!
Wow I needed to read this today, thank you…
You are in my prayers…
Connie
GBU
What a timely reminder of the calling upon our lives. May every step, from mountaintops to the parched desert be an honor unto Him.
I have sometimes been heard to say that “I am closer to the grave than to the cradle”. There was a day when I couldn’t say that with peace, much less joy. But I can assure you, the journey has prepared me to relish such a thought. Oh desert, where is your sting?
Bless you,
Kathleen
Thanks so much for this serious. It has given me so much to think about.
Enjoy the time with your young ones. I’m praying for your family while they are in Bolivia.
“Indeed, if our focus remains mired in our misunderstandings, we fall prey to spiritual blindness. To eyes that cloud with the current rather than vision toward the horizon. But when our focus shifts to the providence of God’s leading in the desert, our eyes and our hearts birth something far greater than confusion.”
God’s words, through you, straight to my heart.
Joyfully,
Melinda
Elaine…as I have read these days with you—I have wondered to myself what you might be going through…I only say that because I know when I have written something that had flooded my heart and mind–the enemy attacked—because he knew I was ministering in some way to someone. YOU have ministered to my soul. Tonight at Bible study we were taught in a VERY similar vein. Proverbs 8:23-31—leaning on HIM—for wisdom—in life circumstances and questions…leaning on HIM for understanding when things happen…leaning on HIM for knowledge in what to do when life just happens…and is many times so hard to deal with that we want to crumble. I have thought of you and prayed for you. KNOWing THAT TO PREACH IT (AS YOU HAVE) IT MUST BE LIVED—AS I KNOW YOU DO.
You have an incredible ministry. I know the Lord has used your words time and time again to help me through something…or to better understand something. I imagine I will be returning to this to re-read these days of wisdom from your heart to mine.
Love you girl…miss you too!
“Indeed, if our focus remains mired in our misunderstandings, we fall prey to spiritual blindness. To eyes that cloud with the current rather than vision toward the horizon. But when our focus shifts to the providence of God’s leading in the desert, our eyes and our hearts birth something far greater than confusion.”
After reading this part, I first thought that, Yes I could see God’s leading, and how He provided for me, and kept me from worse things in my life. But I also see the things that He allowed… and right now maybe i am more prone to the spiritual blindness… because maybe I am mired in my spiritual misunderstandings… When I see what He allowed… the pain that I am forced to work through now, sometimes i just don’t see the point… WHY?
Yes, i know… a question I might never get answered. I could give many a good reason right now, that would sound spiritual and right. And if you looked at my blog, you would probably say that my sharing there is the reason. Right now, as I am working through some pain tonight, that answer just doesn’t satisfy. It just seems to make things hurt more.
How could my suffering at the hands of so many abusive people possibly have a good reason? How could sexual abuse, even after becoming a Christian, by other professed Christians have a purpose? I know some of it was my own choices and my own sin that opened the door to the sexual abuse in some cases…
But the way it has affected my marriage, my life now, my kids… even my desire to live (earlier this year)… how is that beneficial or glorifying to God?
I guess you could say I am walking through the desert right now. Some days, I see what God is doing. Right this minute, trying to work through some of this private pain, I don’t.
Sorry this all came pouring out of me here… I don’t even know if I should publish this comment. Though there are good days, and good nights, this is a tougher night than most I have had in about a month or so.
thank you for sharing these devotionals. Even though they are hard to hear/read, I know that God must be using them, for them to have stirred me up so much.
Heather
A desert is a travelling through – or at least is should be, as all deserts will someday end. I know desert time is different for all of us. Some are focused on the desert, others on the horizon. The outlook in the desert makes such a difference, but sometimes sand is all we can see, but if it’s sand from our Savior’s feet then we are where we should be in our deserts – close to Him.
Walking with Him today,
Joy
Will miss you while you’re away! Have a restful time. Praying for you and your family.
Elaine,
Thank you for your comment on my blog. Thank you for taking the time out to respond when I know you are leaving town.
I am doing better now than I was last night.
I know that this is a desert road I need to walk. It just gets so exhausting sometimes.
God bless and thank you for your ministry.
Heather
Hi Elaine!
I read the first five parts that I printed off yesterday, along with my Bible readings. And now today, I have read the sixth and final part.
I really enjoyed this study….I fully understood it, because I am in the sweltering heat of my own desert right now.
In one of the earlier post, you asked what is one of our favorite desert stories of the Bible…..I of course love the one with Jesus in the desert for 40 days being tempted by the devil. The reason being is that I realize I am in the best of company in my desert, amen?:)
And Jesus was sent to that desert right after his baptism and hearing the words from His Father coming down from Heaven, “This is my Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (I’m not sure of the exact quote, but you know the story.)
Anyway, right after Jesus hears these words from God, He is immediately sent to the desert. How true that is today in my life (in every one’s life).
When God told me of my promise over 7 years ago now, I was elated! Hearing God speak to me, to take time to make me understand, and to constantly reassure me of His promise was a feeling like I have never known. But….no more had the words entered my ears and my heart from the Lord…..here comes the enemy…..lurking around every corner….trying to rob me of my joy and make me miss my blessing.
I don’t “enjoy” my time in the desert, but sometimes when I am having a particularly strong day in my walk of faith, I feel “encouraged” in my desert. The blessings coming my way from God for me and my family must really irritate the enemy. So I figure the more he is trying to hurt me, I must be doing something right…..Because he is obviously nervous and working overtime on me.
Does that make sense?
Anyway, I loved this study.
I am a desert dweller most of the time….but man, I am in great company!
Enjoy your time with your little ones. I look forward to hearing from you again.
God Bless,
Amy:)
Hi Elaine—
Found you through Heather’s blog.
Looks like i will need to spend some time here!
My desert?—I am “spiritually single”, and it is becoming too much of a negative focus in my life.
I have lots of work to do in this journey.
Have fun with your family….i’ll be back.
~~nina
Hey Elaine!
Go to http://wordle.net/ to do your own wordle.
It is incredibly simple!
Love the photo also!
You amaze me, friend!
wifeforthejourney:
Well here we are in Bolivia. I´ve sent you a couple of e-mails but I thank you for your reminder of Jesus being our desert joy. WE leave the buisy capital of La Paz for the little village of Tacachia in the morning. Thanks be to God for the Methodist Church´s vision to provide an orphanage in this poorest of all the nations in South America.
Sorry it will be at least 6 days before I´ll be near an internet connection. You are the best!
Love,
Billy
Faith Elaine,
thank you so much for this study. You have such a gift, my friend! Your gentle perspective always gives me something new to ponder.
You Bless!
Amen! I love this post!
Elaine,
I loved when you said that Jesus is our joy in the desert. So true, so very true.
I am sure that your Father is proud of this study, of your words, His words.
Have a great “pause” with your little ones. We are back from our exhausting vacation. Trying to take a few days ourselves over here.
I’ve had to live out my faith this week in the mountains. When everything was going wrong, I wanted to give in to my emotions, but instead I decided to trust God. You know what…I truly experienced joy in the midst of it all.
My hubby always says, “It’s not how you start, but how you finish that matters.”
Most times I get discouraged first, but my faith is winning out more and more. I guess that means I’m on my way to finishing well–with Jesus’ help!
Great stuff! Thanks for sharing!