Seeking in the Wilderness
From the Beginning, the Word Connected Pathways for Us All
The Spiritual Journey: Finding Purpose in the Wilderness
“In the beginning was the Word," a profound statement that illustrates God’s foundational connection to us, and drives our search for meaning and purpose. Throughout my journey as a seeker of the Way, I often find myself shifting between moments of needing to feel the safety of God’s city walls and the call to venture into the wilderness, where I find true dependence on the wisdom, light, and direction from God. For only when I am surrounded by darkness can I appreciate the comforting flicker of God's candlelight.
Lessons from Paul's Epistles and Isaiah 40:3
Paul's epistles discuss the paradox of wisdom and foolishness, challenging us to reevaluate our beliefs and approach to faith. Isaiah 40:3 invites us to "prepare the way of the Lord" by making straight paths for Him, breaking away from worldly distractions and seeking God in times of confusion, darkness, in times when we are lost and when we are seeking, and in times when we are trying to find our path back home.
As someone recently called to serve the Lord after living so long ignoring the call, I am experiencing God’s word truly for the first time. Paul's epistles, along with Isaiah 40:3, have made me ponder my own journey and the importance of following the path God has set for me. Paul's advice in 1st Corinthians 7: 17-24 to remain as we were when God calls us, inspired me to utilize the unique gifts and circumstances the Lord has provided leading up to when I was summoned to a higher purpose: His purpose.
Utilizing Unique Gifts and Circumstances for God's Purpose
My experiences in breaking rules, hacking, exploitation, social engineering, and other scoundrel skills taught me valuable lessons about understanding motivations of the human condition. By recognizing the temptations of ego and other vices that accompany my profession, what some might call a rogue of the wilderness, I have gained a keen insight into my own weaknesses, and through His will, an opportunity to connect with others who may be struggling with similar temptations.
Embracing my calling, I rely on God's grace to help me guide others in overcoming the challenges posed by their vices. Through this connection, and God’s direction, my experience in the wilderness can help others onto a path that leads away from the dangers of the wild and towards the safety and grace of the Lord: God’s city walls.
Connecting with Others and Overcoming Temptations
Some of us are called to interpret His word, while others are called to make roads in the wilderness, making a path for those that are lost to find their way to Jesus, our Lord. If I am to take Apostle Paul’s advice to heart, then I have been preparing my whole life to serve out in the wild, and I would be a fool to ignore the path that He has put me on.
To survive in the wilderness, making paths for others, I must prepare for the inevitable day when I too will become lost and lose my orientation to the path that takes me back home. My map will show the wrong landmarks, my compass will fail, the fuel for my lantern will run dry. But I trust in Jesus, the ultimate pathfinder, the pathfinder of pathfinders, to guide me back to the Way. I trust in this because we all have an inherent connection to God through the Word, which existed before anything else, even before the wilderness was made.
“Why stay in the wilderness where you put yourself in a position to even be away from God’s light?” you ask. Paul encourages believers to embrace their individual circumstances and remain faithful to God. For I was in the wilderness when I was called, and the wilderness is where I will serve. For the lost are out in the wild, beyond the embrace of God’s city walls, and He has called me to prepare His Way.
The Role of the Church in Navigating the Wilderness
Here’s a question: Why are the pathways in the wilderness important? Within the safety of God's city walls, the church serves as a sanctuary where we can find solace, support, and strength in our faith. It is here that we gather as one family, united in our love for Christ, and committed to walking the path He has laid before us. And as we venture into the wilderness, often alone, let us not forget the power and comfort that comes from being part of a community that seeks to live out the teachings of Jesus together. The pathways are only important if they lead to somewhere worthy. And to me, there is no destination more worthy of a journey than God’s love.
Shining the Light of Jesus for Those Who Seek
But the wilderness is not without danger! If, like me, you have ever pondered how to remain in the light when called to the wilderness, I say bring the light of Jesus’ love with you! Use His light not for your own guidance, but give your lantern to those who are looking for the path. For I know that when I am all alone in the wilderness at night, sometimes even with no moon to reflect the light of our Lord, I will persist through the darkness by faith alone, and in the morning, the rising sun will provide all the light I need. For the sun always rises, as Jesus’ love for us never ceases.
For those of us that God calls to be pathfinders, to prepare the Way, we make pathways that lead to Him, and He uses those pathways to find us when we ourselves become lost.
