One word, w i l d e r n e s s .
Have you ever been in a wilderness season?
You may wonder... What do you mean?
Exactly what is a wilderness season?
I have an answer!
I read somewhere that the wilderness season in a Christian’s life is when the road becomes narrow, only wide enough for that person and God. All others fall away so that God can have His fullest and most personal time with you. Inevitably, the question your faced with in this season would be, "who are you without people?".
When thinking on wilderness, I'm reminded of one time when I encountered the wild as a child. At that time in my life, I lived on Smith Mountain Lake which sit's nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. I loved it! So much nature and fresh air. I would climb tree's and go on adventures all the time. It's basically all I did.
I didn't have very many friends so most of my adventures where done alone. There is one time in particular that I remember taking the ‘adventure’ aspect too far. At the bottom of my community, just on the other side of my neighbor's barn and across the creek, stood a large mountain.. I don’t think the mountain’s name was Smith… he was just a mountain, but I had it set in my little heart to conquer him!
I voyaged out early one Saturday morning to do just that. Young Rachel had no fears. Even though I could hear the roars of wildebeest's in my bedroom at night, I continued anyways.
Have you ever been in a wilderness season?
You may wonder... What do you mean?
Exactly what is a wilderness season?
I have an answer!
I read somewhere that the wilderness season in a Christian’s life is when the road becomes narrow, only wide enough for that person and God. All others fall away so that God can have His fullest and most personal time with you. Inevitably, the question your faced with in this season would be, "who are you without people?".
When thinking on wilderness, I'm reminded of one time when I encountered the wild as a child. At that time in my life, I lived on Smith Mountain Lake which sit's nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. I loved it! So much nature and fresh air. I would climb tree's and go on adventures all the time. It's basically all I did.
I didn't have very many friends so most of my adventures where done alone. There is one time in particular that I remember taking the ‘adventure’ aspect too far. At the bottom of my community, just on the other side of my neighbor's barn and across the creek, stood a large mountain.. I don’t think the mountain’s name was Smith… he was just a mountain, but I had it set in my little heart to conquer him!
I voyaged out early one Saturday morning to do just that. Young Rachel had no fears. Even though I could hear the roars of wildebeest's in my bedroom at night, I continued anyways.
The entire day was spent on this hike. I wandered through the wildflowers and down by the stream. The sky overhead adorned by the most beautiful shade of blue. A memory of complete perfection. Plus, there was a hint of rebellion knowing that mom had no clue where I was.
But then everything changed.
It seemed almost suddenly the day turned dark. The sun began to set and fast. The night became more real with every passing second. Once I stopped, I realized that just beyond the last tree in eyesight was a subdivision… not my subdivision. This wasn't good. The fearless Rachel began to panic.
What was I to do? Third grader's didn't have cellphones attached to them.
Should I go knock on a stranger’s door? I hope their safe. I hope they let me call my Mom.
Adrenaline kicked in and all common sense left me. I turn and ran. Sprinted is actually a better word. There was no way I could have gone faster. I sprinted past tree after tree and hoped over fallen brush.
But then pain happened. A thorn snagged my hand. Blood began to drip. This lovely rose had caused a grisly scene.
GREAT.
Now, not only was I lost but I was bleeding and crying. The darkness continued to fall. The sounds of night arose around me.
I arrived at the bottom of my community just as the woods turned black. I think about how lucky I was. I could have been a story you see on the 10 o’clock news, “8 yr Old Girl Missing, Where is She?"
I wasn’t missing, though. I had reached safety. In a frenzy I ran to my neighbor's doorstep. She bandaged up my wounds and offered comfort to my soul.
Fast forward to present day, that same girl who was lost on a mountain works for one of the biggest ministries in the world. I have responsibilities, an apartment, and a cat. Some would say that I've successfully navigated these first few years of adulthood.
Success doesn't mean it's been easy, though.
If we're being honest, I still feel like that little girl unsure of what's to come.
I'm in the wilderness again... but this time it's different.
Instead of freaking out, I know that God is the rock I stand on. I don't have to be afraid.
If you're in a wilderness season, that's ok... I'm in one too.
We'll get through it, you and me. He has us here for a reason. I have chosen to consecrate in my heart Paul's word's from Philippians,
"By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back"
But then everything changed.
It seemed almost suddenly the day turned dark. The sun began to set and fast. The night became more real with every passing second. Once I stopped, I realized that just beyond the last tree in eyesight was a subdivision… not my subdivision. This wasn't good. The fearless Rachel began to panic.
What was I to do? Third grader's didn't have cellphones attached to them.
Should I go knock on a stranger’s door? I hope their safe. I hope they let me call my Mom.
Adrenaline kicked in and all common sense left me. I turn and ran. Sprinted is actually a better word. There was no way I could have gone faster. I sprinted past tree after tree and hoped over fallen brush.
But then pain happened. A thorn snagged my hand. Blood began to drip. This lovely rose had caused a grisly scene.
GREAT.
Now, not only was I lost but I was bleeding and crying. The darkness continued to fall. The sounds of night arose around me.
I arrived at the bottom of my community just as the woods turned black. I think about how lucky I was. I could have been a story you see on the 10 o’clock news, “8 yr Old Girl Missing, Where is She?"
I wasn’t missing, though. I had reached safety. In a frenzy I ran to my neighbor's doorstep. She bandaged up my wounds and offered comfort to my soul.
Fast forward to present day, that same girl who was lost on a mountain works for one of the biggest ministries in the world. I have responsibilities, an apartment, and a cat. Some would say that I've successfully navigated these first few years of adulthood.
Success doesn't mean it's been easy, though.
If we're being honest, I still feel like that little girl unsure of what's to come.
I'm in the wilderness again... but this time it's different.
Instead of freaking out, I know that God is the rock I stand on. I don't have to be afraid.
If you're in a wilderness season, that's ok... I'm in one too.
We'll get through it, you and me. He has us here for a reason. I have chosen to consecrate in my heart Paul's word's from Philippians,
"By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back"
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