Wanderer in the Wilderness

“I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!” (Psalm 27:13-14, ESV).

In today's world, waiting is perhaps one of the most exasperating things. Unlike in the past, our senses are constantly pampered with thousands of things vying for our attention. When we're on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook or any other social media platform, it's just a matter of scrolling endlessly. This is why medical journals have shown that social media and the internet have significantly shortened our attention spans, leaving our brains untrained to focus on a single thing, especially if it doesn't immediately captivate us.

People no longer have the patience to wait; they want everything to be instant and swiftly scrollable. We've lost the art of waiting.

Waiting is perceived as a weakness or failure, especially when the wait is devoid of a clear schedule. It's like wandering in the wilderness. There's nothing exciting there, just barrenness, and all you see every day is desert. There are no thousands of intriguing things to scroll through. In the wilderness, you wander, experiencing aridness, and it feels like there's no progress. It's as if your prayers go unanswered, and God seems distant. Your situation becomes incredibly frustrating, and the challenges seem insurmountable.

We all experience that. Even Jesus had his wilderness time right after he was baptized by John the Baptist. And Jesus said, "In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33, ESV).

So, what do we do when we find ourselves in the waiting season? How we respond to this wilderness experience is crucial. Here are some practical steps to guide us:

1. Focus on the present to draw near to God. Learn to be molded and refined by Him during this waiting period.

2. The waiting time in the wilderness is dry; be filled with the flow of living water (Holy Spirit) and the Word of God.

3. Remember and practice thanksgiving, even when it's tough. God isn't the cause of your hardship; He is the One who has and will deliver you.

Waiting isn't easy, especially during the season of hardship. In due time, you will look back and bear witness to God's goodness. You would declare joyfully His goodness and that God doesn't abandon us in tough times, and those waiting seasons are neither in vain nor without purpose.