Into the desert

I call you into the desert
because I love you.
You are not sent here
as a punishment.
You are not here
by accident.
I have not turned My back
on you.
Never, never think that.
No,
I have called you here,
away from worldly distractions,
even worldly help,
so that you will learn
to call on Me;
to lean on Me,
and in this way,
to know Me better;
to draw closer to Me.

I called My children
out of Egypt
into the desert.
At first they rejoiced.
I led them with fire and cloud,
and they followed Me.
My child,
look for Me in your desert,
maybe in the unexpected,
and you will find Me.

I was leading My children
to a Promised Land;
a land full of goodness and plenty,
and yet
some turned their eyes away
from Me
and looked back.
My child,
do not look back:
rather
look forward in faith;
in eager anticipation.
The Promised Land is there.
Look to Me.
Lean on Me.
And the more you do
the less you will doubt.

I even called My Son
into the desert.
I called Him there
because of love.
And
if He needed this time apart
how much more do you.
Oh, My child,
do you not see
that I want you to know Me better.
I want you to see Me clearer.
I want you to hear Me speaking to you.
I want you to walk with Me
more closely.
And,
when you can see this,
then you will understand
why I have led you here
into the desert.


c Kathleen Wilks