Peace in the Desert
Peace in the Desert
For miles and miles there has been nothing to quench my thirst. All I see is white sand for miles. I often wonder if I am still in the earth. I need something to drink or soon I will die. I see clouds above my head, perhaps they will bring rain my way, but it has been years and there is no rain. I continue my desert travels looking for a friend a stranger, but there is no one. I don’t want to give up, but am now so beaten by the sun, calloused and bruised. Who would recognize me? Who would help me? I am no longer the woman I once was.
Ah…there is a tree to my right. I will get shade there, rest there, and I will call water from the tree. “Tree give me water to drink,” I command. But the tree does not respond. I kick the tree. I pull the leaves from the tree. I consume the leaves, for much needed nourishment. I do everything to get water from that tree, but it produces no water. I curse it and leave.
My desert journey is making me frail and sick. Give me a drink, Earth. Satisfy me. And then a deadly scorpion appears. Surely I can capture it and drink its poison. Will not his poison quench my thirst? But the scorpion alludes me. He rattles his tail and toys with me until I give up. Hopeless.
I am certain death is near. In my despair, the heat and pain, I fall asleep. I just want to die there. But I begin to dream. In my dream I see a fountain with clear, rushing water. I drink and drink and drink. Surely, I am in Heaven. I am quenched, only to awaken to blistered skin and feet. My thirst is quickly returned. I sit in the desert heat waiting and wanting to die.
“Kill me, God!”, I cry. “This heat, my thirst! Oh God…I am ready to die in this desert. I have wandered for so long. My friend is gone. I don’t know my way. I have nothing left. I am depleted. I am frail. I have no strength. Have mercy on me, God. If you love me give me something to drink or kill me now!”
I throw myself into the hot sand, and begin to drink of the earth. The grains choke me and I cough. I know this is where I will die. So, I await my death. I lie beneath the sun, and die.
Then God answers, “Daughter are you thirsty? If you are thirsty why haven’t you asked Me for a drink?” I can no longer see. It could not be God. I am dead. Surely I am dead from this desert heat. And God continues, “You spoke to the clouds, cursed the tree — you believed in your dream, you even befriended a scorpion, and I AM the living water you seek.”
“You chose to walk through the desert heat alone, becoming ill and willing to die. However, you never called on ME. Never once did you speak to ME. I was waiting to hear your voice. I died to quench your soul. But you never shared your story with me. Again, how is it you dreamt of waters and yet never asked of ME? I love you daughter.”
“Your source was never in the clouds, the tree, your friend, or the scorpion. I AM your Source. I have always been your Source — now come drink my living water and thirst no more. Fall into my arms. Rest here. Cast all your cares and pain here. I see your bruises, calloused feet and hands. I will restore and heal you. Now drink. Yes, drink my daughter. I understand.”
“Daughter, you must know, the desert was never designed to become your home. There were detours along the way you would not see. To the left of the tree there was a well, but you cursed the tree, and the clouds were always guiding you to freedom, but you stopped looking. Inside of you I lived, and yet you would not see ME in you. This desert place was designed for your surrender. Now rise up from your despair and LIVE, daughter! No more tears. You are enough. Today you have received everything to LIVE. Now LIVE freely. Leave from here, and don’t look back. Never allow another to bring you here — ever again. This is not your home. Now go, my daughter. Live abundantly and know I AM always here with you, within you.” ~
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Blessings ~
sereneb
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Verlean Turner May 28 2012 - 9:36 pm
Great read. This has been my journey in the desert, except that I know that I couldn’t have made it without the divine drink I get from God at my deepest thirst. Thanks for writing this. The Scorpion is truly in the desert ready to poison you. Love ya!
sereneb May 28 2012 - 9:43 pm
Thank you for reading. Yes, LORD haven’t we all had a desert experience in our lives? For some of us, that would be me:-) We stay far too long. I am so thankful for his grace. Even through my personal desert experience I am feeling his touch on my life. That I am even able to write tells me He is there…with me every step of the way. I am thankful. Love you SO much! ~ SereneB
Trudy Martin May 29 2012 - 2:39 pm
This was such a good read. We get stuck in desert places and make them our home and forget to just call on the Lord for help. We get into a pity party with ourselves and stop looking up. We continue to walk straight ahead with our heads held down in shame. Oh, I thank God for Jesus, he is the living water that one will never thirst. Keep them coming girl. I will definitely share.
sereneb May 29 2012 - 6:43 pm
Bless you Trudy! Jesus is indeed that living water we seek. We can thirst no more, if we’re ready. So often we’re ashamed of our desert, but I am so thankful for my own. It drew me home. I will see you soon. I love you girl:-)