I hardly have to tell you that the world we live in is a fallen world.
We can look at our familiar places—where we live, work, shop, or play—and everything seems to be fairly normal. Business as usual.
But what is unseen with our natural eyes—behind the scenes and props of life—is a world that is a spiritual wilderness. A wasteland. A worn and weary place, depleted and deprived of spiritual reality and substance.
We could never expect it to be what it could have been, had sin not entered in so long ago. Adam and Eve were foolish to exchange their God-given glory for a selfish dream. Their disobedience changed the whole landscape of life upon this planet earth, for every generation to follow.
Parched and overexposed to its fallen nature, our world does not sustain spiritual life well. And it constantly imposes a threat to its inhabitants.
We are faced with a spiritual barrenness. A starkness. A world far more harsh and unsustainable than it was designed to be.
It is the wilderness of sin, and death. Every one of us must cross this vast and vacant wasteland. We must be sure in our intentions, and honed in our skills, if we are to survive.
And we need a Wilderness Guide.
Having grown up in the California desert, I have a pretty good understanding of the mystery and trickery of the wilderness. It can be beautiful and alluring, but also terribly harsh, inhospitable and unforgiving. To those who take a casual approach, and underestimate its danger, the desert wilderness can be deadly.
We need to remember that the world that we live in is a spiritual wilderness. This is vitally important to every traveler who attempts to pass through it. If we forget where we actually are, we can underestimate the dangers, overestimate our own abilities, and fail to follow any real pathway that will lead us safely through.
The Bible is our roadmap that points the way, and makes it clear what this journey of ours is all about. In great detail, it exposes four distinct survival skills that are required, if we are to survive this vast spiritual wilderness before us.
Survival Skill 1 – Beginning the Journey
A journey without a beginning is a journey never taken. The way we begin the journey is essential, because it has a lasting effect on every step taken.
We can look at an example from the book of Exodus in the Bible. The enslaved nation of Israel yearned to be free from Egypt’s harsh grasp. This would be no small thing. God knew it would take a radical break from their past in order for them to find their future.
Sadly, every Egyptian first born male would die, before their hard-hearted captor would finally let the Israelites go. Thousands of lambs would need to be sacrificially slain—their life’s blood splashed upon the doorposts of every Hebrew household—identifying those willing to follow the Lord’s commands.
Once the Israelites were finally on their way, the Egyptian army would chase after them, determined to extinguish their entire nation. God would miraculously open the Red Sea, and the Israelites passed through safely. Their journey of miracles and milestones had begun.
Does this sound anything like some casual, spontaneous stroll in the park? Hardly. It was a frightening, sobering and life-changing experience for all of them. Because the enemy never lets go without a struggle. It takes the mighty hand of God to move heaven and earth on our behalf, as He sets the captives free.
But really, it is our own act of defiance of the enemy—coupled together with the all-powerful, purposeful God—that makes our release from the enemy’s camp possible. It is nothing short of a miracle to be set free from the bondage of sin, as God takes back what is rightfully His.
And this should be a fair description of our beginning, as we forcefully enter into the kingdom of Heaven.
“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” (Matthew 11:12)
Think about it. Was this how you began your journey with Christ? Were you overwhelmed, or even frightened? Were you humbled by God’s love? Did you take a firm grasp on to His cross? Was it life-altering?
Or did your journey begin casually? Did someone gave you an invitation to “accept” Jesus by quickly, simply and secretly raising your hand?
Did that person then encourage you to make a serious commitment to follow after Christ?
“And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? (Luke 14:27-28)
Please bear with me—I truly don’t intend to sound judgemental. It’s just that Jesus made it abundantly clear that faith is a journey—and how you begin your journey is vitally important. Because every genuine journey of faith has an unquestionable beginning—a purposeful, memorable first step.
Jesus explains to Nicodemus, the Jewish leader:
“…Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)
“…Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:5-6)
And again, Jesus warns His disciples:
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)
This is also a picture of that same new birth experience, portrayed by that narrow way each one of us must go through to emerge as a new creation of God—much like a butterfly transforms and births from his cocoon—a new creation.
Jesus makes it perfectly clear that there is only one way, and one entrance—only one true beginning to be freed from sin, and to become truly His.
Can it be possible that many have bypassed a true journey of following Christ—a journey of repentance from sin, and submitting to His direction—only to have a momentary religious experience? Can it be possible that many—left to their own wills and moral compasses—are wandering around in the wilderness, going nowhere?
Remember—much of Israel rebelled against God’s leadership, and refused to follow His instructions, which would have directly led them into the land He had promised to them. Instead, they wandered aimlessly in circles for the next forty years, out in the barren wasteland of wilderness.
Wasting their days, wasting their dreams, and wasting away—until their ultimate destruction finally came.
Their days must have been laden with deep regret, as they remembered their many opportunities to trust God. They had disbelieved His promises, and decided they knew better.
Wandering in the wilderness never takes us to our promised destination. We must have a true beginning—a firm commitment to set out in faith, and follow Christ to find our promised purpose.
“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:15-17)
He who believes enough to walk out his journey of faith to its destination, will undoubtedly receive God’s promises. But we must decide to begin it.
There are no shortcuts through this wilderness.
Survival Skill 2 – Following the Leader
It is easy to be taken in by the trappings of modern society, and believe that life is still relatively normal. But true Christians know better. There is nothing normal about the blatant sins we see demonstrated right before us today.
The spiritual wilderness of sin and death surrounds each and every one of us. An unbelieving world will simply spend their lives wandering around within this wilderness of empty pursuits, confusion, bad decisions, and ultimate destruction.
But Christians are translated from the wilderness of sin, into the Kingdom of God—His Kingdom of Light and life. A different Kingdom, with a different experience. In a spiritual sense, we are encapsulated by this Kingdom, as we walk through this world.
The Lord Jesus explains it this way:
“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” (John 15:18-19)
We are sent into this present world—living within this world, and crossing through this world—but we are not of this world.
Jesus prayed to the Father:
“They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.” (John 17:16-18)
God sends us out on this journey of life. And our journey is much the same as it was for the nation of Israel, as they came out of Egypt. Each one of us must walk through our wilderness, cross the mountains and valleys, and endure the hardships acquainted with such a journey.
We are helpless, with no real sense of direction, no real provision, and in desperate need of an excellent Wilderness Guide. But knowing that our goal is before us—God’s promised land—gives us great incentive to go on.
We know that we are still physically present within this fallen world of darkness. But because we belong to a new Kingdom, with a heavenly King, we no longer conform to this world.
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
The Holy Spirit will lead us well, if we will obediently learn from Him—renewing our minds. We will sense His protection, see His provision and know His comfort. And our lives will prove out the perfect will of God—if we will listen well, and follow faithfully.
Jesus explains how we can follow faithfully:
“If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” (John 14:15-17)
“As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. (John 15:10-11)
The fullness of the Godhead is at work here. As we are faithful to obey Christ’s commands, the Holy Spirit and the Father are fully involved. It is impossible for us to be left out on our own to fend for ourselves. God is completely and inseparably engaged in the process of our progress through the wilderness.
And God isn’t leading us on some miserable, forced march. We have our “Comforter.” We live in love, and walk in love. We are filled with joy. His joy.
Following our Leader is critical to making a successful journey and finding our destination. And listening well to His instructions for us is essential for our survival. So to follow from a distance—to be so far away that we can barely hear our Leader—might prove to be a fatal mistake.
His instructions would be too distant to clearly distinguish. His warnings—muffled among the strange and confusing voices of the wilderness—would seem too vague for us to really take to heart. We might miss a critical direction change, a fork in the road, and become lost, or miss that all-important watering hole.
Closely following our Leader is crucial in the wilderness. Death and destruction are an ever-present threat. Thankfully, our wise Leader will never leave us on our own. He knows how easily we can become distracted and disoriented, in such a wild place. In His great compassion, He always comes looking for us.
“For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?
And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.” (Matthew 18:11-14)
What a wonderful God we serve! Leading us, guiding us—even searching until He finds us. Who wouldn’t want to follow such a loving One?
Survival Skill 3 – Crossing Through with Purpose
Jesus faithfully endured the ravages of His cross, to pay for us—opening the way, so we may follow after him. His sacrifice was extreme and His suffering was unfathomable, but He never lost His sense of authority.
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)
He endured the cross, and He despised the shame of it all—but He never allowed it to overwhelm His precise purpose for being there. He was looking forward to the joy of our following after Him.
Each one of us, on our own particular day of death, came to that cross. And when we did, we were crucified with He who bore our sin and suffering. And we died there with Him.
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)
And now, He requests that we deny ourselves, take up our own cross, and follow Him:
“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” (Luke 9:23-24)
We deny ourselves—forsaking our own selfish wills, to do the will of the Father, who sent His Son for us.
We take up our cross—that place of death, where sin was torn away, and placed upon Jesus, the Lamb of God. In it’s place, His resurrection power, life and liberty were washed over our wounds, as we arose from death.
And Christ calls us to follow Him. I imagine Him saying,
Child, we can’t stay here. We are no longer the dead, but the living. We have a journey to make. My cross has become your cross. My journey has become your journey.
I was your sacrificed Lamb, slain for you, but now I live—to ever be the living sacrifice for you. Join me by taking up the cross that killed you, and follow me. I give you the power to likewise become a living sacrifice, for the world, daily.
And this, my friend, will be our journey together, across this wilderness of time, as I faithfully and joyfully lead you home.
Our journeys here upon this earth will most likely not be fully understood, until they are completed. We are much like the nation of Israel, who traveled so long ago on their wilderness journey—walking the vast unknown between what they had left behind, and what was promised to come.
They struggled with doubt and indecision each and every day that they traveled.
And it is evident that they forgot their beginning.
Their beginning. The agonies of their former slavery. The bleating of thousands of lambs being sacrificed. That shed blood dripping down the doorways of their houses. The parting of the Red Sea. And Egypt’s mighty army drowned helplessly behind them, never to be seen again.
They forgot who they were, because they forgot who God was—their Almighty Leader, who went before them.
But thankfully, that never needs to be you or me. We will not lose sight of our Leader, who goes before us.
Because we will remember.
We will remember our beginning. We will remember how we got here, to this place. The moment where we died at the foot of His cross, to live in Him forever—inexplicably, inextricably joined with Christ, in death. Now we live, and move, and have our being in Him.
And as we carry our cross, denying ourselves daily, we remember who we are: His. Undeniably, His.
As we trek through this span of mountains and valleys, we remember who He is. In our moments with Him—knowing Him, loving Him, and obediently following wherever He leads us.
Never mind what our physical world might appear to be. Each step that we take is saturated with the purpose of God, if we can just remember to recognize this for what it is. If we can just determine to look past the mundane, the hazards and habits of this life, and look beyond ourselves—to see Him there, in our place.
Honestly, friend, could there be a journey any better than this?
Survival Skill 4 – Walking Toward God’s Promises
This journey we face can be difficult. At times, we can feel that we are out here all alone. But nothing could be farther from the truth. Because we are His.
And that makes this wilderness we are passing through to be more like an oasis than a wasteland. Because for us—as we live, move and have our being hidden in Him—nothing we experience along our way is any wasted time, effort or energy.
Not even the suffering. No—especially not the suffering.
Anything that brings us more up close and personal in our walk with Christ ultimately must be worth it. Even a difficult, exhausting journey through the wilderness of a sin-filled world. For those joined in the journey with Christ, it will soon end in victory.
“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18)
“The glory which shall be revealed in us?” Let that sink in for a little while.
I had always imagined finishing my course (by the grace of God), then finally joyfully beholding Him in all of His glory. And of course, this wonderful future event will certainly take place.
But this verse speaks of another revelation—God’s glory being revealed in us, His creation. We can only wait and wonder about it all. But experiencing it will be nothing short of glorious.
What we are in the process of becoming, in Christ, will certainly come to its glorious completion—at the conclusion of this narrow, but necessary journey we must make.
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:1-2)
“We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” We have no need to fear, for He has promised us a Kingdom, and He will be our King.
Dare to imagine that moment of revelation given to the Apostle Paul. No doubt, his eyes were stinging with tears, as he penned these words. Those same eyes that were once blinded—by He who called Paul out from his darkness. To begin his own dangerous and demanding journey with Christ, toward the high calling set before him.
Completion
This road which we take is no accident. This journey we make is filled with God’s powerful purposes—to fulfill the promises of a kingdom reign, which will never end. Because in God’s perfect timing, promises that are given are promises always kept.
“And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.” (Hebrews 6:11-15)
Abraham certainly had his journey of faith to walk, as he followed on to finally and fully understand the promises of God. And as followers of Christ, we have our journey of faith and promises as well.
Along our way, with Him, nothing will be lost. Nothing.
Not one disappointment. Not one day filled with pain. Not one lonely night on the backside of the darkest desert place. Nothing will be lost or forgotten.
“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38)
And nothing will be able to separate us from the love and the leadership of this One—who has called us upon our way to follow Him, as the sons of God.
For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. (2 Timothy 1:12)
Yes, our Christ is faithful, and fully able to keep all that we have committed unto Him. Every hardship we face. Every day that we choose to deny ourselves—putting Christ upon His rightful place, in power and authority over us.
Each and every day of our service and sacrifice to Him, as we walk out a life of living sacrifice before Him. With all and everything now held by Him, who has purposed us to follow Him home.
Home. Right into the promises He lovingly holds for us.
All and everything will be coming to its glorious completion—soon to be seen in glorious fulfillment. Right there—at the end of this journey we take.
Our journey—your journey—through the wilderness.
Make your beginning sure. Follow your Leader closely. Walk with purpose, toward His promises.
And like Paul, be persuaded that God is able to keep you, all along your way. Because your Guide certainly knows the way.
After all—He is the Way.