A Way in the Wilderness

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43:19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Do you ever feel like no matter how hard you try, you can’t seem to find your way out of the wilderness? Like, you make your way out of one season of trial, and then, you’re back into another. I don’t know about you, but my 2017 was pretty much that.

My 2017 season had its ups and downs, though it ended better than it began, and I thank God for that. I struggle with fully putting my trust in God and his plan for me, though I know He’s got me. I’m organized, a planner, and like to know the outcome of things. & I’m working on that, because I know I need to let that go. Because I might want to know how it works out, but really only God knows the whole picture. & to me, it’s the hardest when I’m obedient to him, and something doesn’t work out. “But God, why did you move me to this big city, I’m so lonely.” “But God, you told me to take that class, but I don’t have enough for the exams.” “But God, you told me to be with that man, so why did you let him leave?” See my relationship with God is one of those father/daughter things, like “but DADDD” while he tells me to do something. I’m a brat, but I listen. Because even though I may not like it, I know He’s got a reason why He’s telling me something. It may not be visible immediately, but it doesn’t matter.

See when God says He’s going to make a way, He means it. I moved to NYC and never felt more lonely. Now hear me, I cried for months and felt completely lost in the wilderness. & then one day, He gave me Hillsong NYC. & I found a connect group of women on a mission. & I’ve made some incredible Godly girlfriends I wouldn’t trade for the world. He made a way through that wilderness. When He told me to go back to school, I didn’t know how I was going to do it. Grad school is expensive, and so are the thousand exams to finish a teaching degree. But then He showed me to the NYC teaching fellows, and from there I was blessed with a discounted tuition. & though I’m still working out the finances, I’ve continued to trust that God will provide. He made a way through that wilderness. & that last one, well I’m still working that out. I shut myself off to love from a horrible relationship, and wasn’t searching at all for anyone. & then God told me “hey, that’s him.” & I laughed and said “nice one, God. King of comedians you are.” but the more I fought, the more He persisted, and He was right. That man was (is) amazing. & so it was, and then it wasn’t. & I’m still figuring that out. But I trust there’s a reason why all is happening the way it is. Because even though I don’t know the end goal, God does. & only He will get me through this wilderness.

Hear me out: trusting in God doesn’t mean you’re not going to go through challenges. It means that through the challenges you know that there’s light pulling you to a clear road. Because He always is doing a new thing. Turning around situations. Bringing a blessing in the battlefield. & making a way where there seems to be no way. It’s hard to see it, I know. But keep persisting, keep battling. Keep trusting that He’s got you.

What’s your current wilderness? & how are you going to trust God to get you through it?

Make that your 2018 resolution: when you feel lost in the wilderness, turn to God and say “Father I know you’re here. I know you’ve got me. Help my heart find peace, and trust you through it.”