Can you relate to a season in life in which you’re merely surviving, rather than thriving? Contrary to what you might think, I’ve learned through the years that those are often the times that God wants to draw us close. God knows if I have everything I want, right when I want it, I will no longer need Him. And, I’m not truly desperate for Him. So sometimes He will do whatever it takes to draw me back to the place where I truly depend on Him.
In the Old Testament book of Hosea, God told His prophet what He was going to do to draw the nation of Israel (His chosen people) back to His heart. His people had gone after other gods, and turned their backs on Him, like a wife who had betrayed and deserted her husband. God used an analogy of a lovesick husband leading his wife back to his heart when He told the prophet Hosea His strategy for making His people desperate for Him:
“Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the wilderness [desert] and speak tenderly to her. There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor [Trouble] a door of hope. There she will respond [sing] as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt [bondage]. ‘In that day,’ declares the Lord, ‘you will call me ‘my husband’; you will no longer call me ‘my master’ (Hosea 2:14-16 NIV).
I wonder, sometimes, if God doesn’t take that same strategy with us today. Could He be allowing us to go through a desert (in our marriage, our finances, our job, or our personal life) and even at times lead us there so He can “speak tenderly” to us and show us a new side of Himself? Could He be taking you through a desert in your marriage, so you will see Him as your “spiritual husband”? Could He be allowing you a trek through the wasteland of financial hardships so you will see Him as your Great Provider? Is He allowing you a journey through parched areas of loss so you will see Him as your Greatest Possession?
To learn more about how you can “Thrive in the Desert”, read the rest of this article and many more insightful and inspired words, by purchasing your copy of the 8th Edition of SHINE magazine TODAY. Click on the magazine cover to the right and get your copy of SHINE!
Cindi McMenamin will be speaking at Word of Life Christian Center on Sunday, October 6th. Join us for the “Rediscovering the Woman You Are” event that will begin at 5:45 PM with food and fellowship in the foyer. Teachings for all ages will begin at 6:30 PM; including Cindi’s husband, Hugh McMenamin, who will be speaking a powerful word to the men in attendance. We hope to see you on October 6th!
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