The Bible says to

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5&6

Last week I did research preparing for a presentation for a Sunday school class at my church. I read about our promised land. Paraphrasing from an online Bible study, it discussed that our promised land is God’s call on our lives. It stressed the importance of staying on course with God, holding fast to Him and letting Him complete whatever He wants to do with us in our own wilderness experience. When we do that and let Him guide us we will be rewarded and those rewards can be beyond our wildest dreams and expectations.

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I learned, I experienced my own wilderness for 37 years. I grew so accustomed to it; I didn’t even realize what I was going through until God tested me. My wilderness was normal to me. The first step was when He took me out of my comfort zone, out of my home away from my husband to care for my parents.

I didn’t understand how my life had taken the turn it had. I felt stripped naked, alone and insecure. Admittedly, I was totally unaware of what happened to me. I didn’t know how I lost control of my life. That’s the key word CONTROL! I wanted to be in control of my life and I wasn’t.

I first looked at my circumstances thinking God had a sense of humor. I knew He did, who else would put a light pack on the butt of a bug? But how did that relate to putting me in the home of my parents with whom I couldn’t communicate. I mistook a sense of humor for pure and simple love.

It didn’t take me long to realize all I could do was trust His wisdom. I listened to Him and surrendered my control to Him. Once I did that, I was able to freely soak in His wisdom. I wanted to care for my parents, but didn’t know how to do it. ”A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps”  Proverbs 16:9. The second step was to humble myself and let Him guide me and pay my dues. We all have a price to pay to live in the Promised Land.

Third, living this stripped down humble life how could I not grow closer to God? He taught me lessons in humility. Weakened, He taught me to be strong in His love. We walked the path of forgiveness together. Then He showered me with patience, while gently prodding me with His desires to share what I learned  “and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel” Ephesians 6:19.

I’m wondering if you’ve had your own wilderness experience. Did you follow the Lords lead willingly or did you go kicking and screaming. Do you live in your own Promised Land as a result of your walk with your Heavenly Father?