It was the summer of 1993. The love of my life had just walked out on me. My Mother had suffered a stroke. My son, who was 9 at the time, decided to go live with his Dad in Montana. I was having problems on my job. I stood there for a second while the shock of what had happened crept slowly through my body. I felt that I was being stretched beyond my human limit. “Oh God, what more could happen?” I cried out. What had I done to deserve this? Why did God allow me to come to the end of my rope? I thought I had always been walking in God’s will. So what was the problem?

 

I began thinking about the children of Israel in the wilderness. The Israelites left Egypt and were led through the Red Sea by Moses. God provided a way of escape for them and showed them miracle upon miracle. But what was on that other side of the sea? The wilderness--a place where water and food was scarce. It didn’t take long for the Israelites to start murmuring and complaining about their situation. They reminisced about the old days back in Egypt, where they were held captive, but were fed. They obeyed God; they followed Him and now look at the mess they were in. Why would God allow that to happen to the Israelites? Why would he bring them out of captivity to starvation? He wanted to teach them to depend on Him.

When the people of God are out in the wilderness, they can do nothing humanly to survive. It forces them to call upon God. When the Israelites did this, miracles happened. Manna fell down from heaven and water sprang forth out of the rocks. God was teaching them that even when they could accomplish nothing in a situation, God would come through for them. Victory only comes from God and from Him alone. God placed those people in the wilderness so that they would respond correctly when He brought them into the Promised Land. He knew that if the people of Israel didn’t learn that lesson, before the blessings came, their chances of backsliding would be great. God wants us to depend on Him and not on ourselves. He wants us to know that when we get to the Promised Land it is not due to our own abilities or strengths.

So, as I was following the Lord, God brought me into my own wilderness. I was facing all these situations. A broken relationship, problems on the job, problems with my family, I was even having problems at church. God did speak a word to me. He asked me to step out in faith. When I did, I found that my human resources were not enough to help me survive. I didn’t have the time, the ability, or the finances. I was up against a wall. God brought me to this place of need so I could call out to Him and find Him faithful to provide. God brought me into this place of loneliness so that I could find comfort and wholeness in Him. God brought me to this place of sexual weakness, so I could find strength to overcome in Him. God brought me to a point of discouragement and frustration so I could find encouragement, wisdom, and strength to persevere in Him. God allowed me to be single so I could find my fulfillment, not in another human being but rather in Him, my only true source.

 

In the wilderness, I learn to depend on God--even in the most difficult of times. By doing this, I put myself on solid ground with Him. I will wait upon the Lord to bring the blessings. God promises they will come. I will remain faithful to Him. I will cast down everything that exalts itself above Him and give myself wholly to Him. Through it all I learn valuable life lessons. That God’s will for my life is not to be married, have a fantastic job, or money coming out my ears. God’s will for my life is to conform me to the image of His Son. He is going to do it. That means that if God thinks that being single will make me more like Christ, then I will be single. If God wants me to be a single parent, lose my job, or any other obstacle that comes my way He will do it. He is calling all of us to submit to the Spirit. So embrace whatever circumstances you are in today, for however long it lasts. For His glory, make Him the love of your life. He is worthy to be praised forever and ever amen.