UNCOMMEN: The Wilderness YearsSample

Wilderness of Disobedience

During our times of disobedience, God is still there. He's there when we make bad choices like losing our tempers with the kids or yelling at an employee or coworker. These traits are not godly, and anything that is not godly can be viewed as a sin. Living in sin is living in disobedience. 

Does that mean God stops providing for us? No. Does He stop blessing us? No, but it does put limits on how He overflows into our lives. Because when we are in right relationship with God, He fills us with Himself, and once that happens, He overflows into the lives around us. That is why we are meant to be a blessing to others around us. However, to do this, we must first be in right relationship with God. When we are not willing to give up parts of ourselves, all we do is leave less room for God.

What does your wilderness look like today? Was there a time you were living in sin, out in the world? Is there a time you backslid into the things you once overcame? Is there a situation in life that it seems like no matter what you do, you always end up in the same place again, facing the same circumstances? When I could say yes to these questions, I knew I was living in disobedience. "For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all." (Romans 11:32) There will be a time in many of our lives where we have lived in disobedience. I am so grateful that by this, I am given His grace.

How come God doesn't just swoop us up and fix all our problems and straighten us up as we should be? He created us for a relationship with Himself. When we walk with Him in the relationship, we are on our journey with Jesus. God has a purpose for all of us. To find our purpose, we must surrender to His will, and He will show you things you cannot even imagine.

The Holy Spirit speaks into your life all the time. So why do we listen to the shouting voice of the enemy that says, "click on that site you shouldn't be on," "play that scratch-off ticket when you should be buying the kids' clothes," and "flirt with that coworker." The enemy will put things that seem useful right now in front of you so that you become distracted from Jesus. It'll start with forsaking little things like your morning prayer time, reading your bible, or a devotional like this and taking time praying with your wife and kids. Then it leads to things like skipping church, or not serving in your church or community. Next thing you know, you may go even as far as to stop praying altogether, except when you need something. Undoubtedly, this is one wilderness I do not want ever to go back.
 

Uncommen Questions: 

Where in my life have I been disobedient?
What is your purpose for me, God?
How do I line myself up in Your will? 
 

Uncommen Challenge: 

Start with 15 minutes a day of prayer, preferably first thing in the morning. Ask God to show you His will and purpose in your life.

Scripture References:
Romans 11:11-32,
Joshua 5:1-9