Blossoms in the Desert

I often think about some of the callings that God puts on our lives sometimes. Whether they are major callings that lead into new seasons for a lengthy amount of time or whether they are minor callings for a short time, sometimes these callings seem to have us walk into a place that challenges our initial instincts. What I mean by that is sometimes it seems that God is calling us into a place that seems challengeing, strange, or seemingly dangerous regardless of the length of time.

As I've thought about God's calling on our lives I was drawn to Isaiah 35. Isaiah was writing on being in the desert and what it looks like when God calls us into a desert. Think about it... God calls you into a desert... a place synonomous with dryness and heat. In addition, life is definitely not the first thing that pops into your mind when you think desert. Yet God calls us into these places because it is here that He wants to grow us. The best part is that when He calls us and we not only surrender but commit to going where He calls us, He does incredible things.

Isaiah 35 explains that the desert will rejoice and blossom and ther will be an abundance of flowers. The Lord will display His glory and will encourage those with fearful hearts. When God shows up He will open the eyes of the blind, the ears of the deaf, the lame will walk, and the mute will talk. Springs will gush forth in the desert and will satisfy the land. (My paraphrase)

God shows up when we respond and move to where He calls to no matter what season it might be. When He calls us into a place that seems like a desert, His word declares that He shows up. It is not because of the location but because of surrender and commitment which allows Him to transform us from the inside out.

I want to encourage you those of you who may be in a season that God has called you into that seems turbulant or difficult. Yet commit to the calling and God will provide life in the desert and you will see God do works in you and through you for His glory.