A few years ago, the Lord called me to the desert...literally. I felt led to take a short vacation in Colorado. As was often the case at that time, I took the initial leading from the Lord and ran with it. I thought, "Okay, I can see Aspen in the spring. This will be great." Ohhhhhhhh no. The Lord had completely different plans. He led me to a website. A site for a place that rented cabins caught my eye. The cabin...well, house actually - could have slept 16 people - was available for one night. Then, a site for a lodge caught my eye. The two were located near one another. No surprise there. I felt like I was to take the house for the one night, which was in the middle of my trip, and a room at the lodge - and I use the term "lodge" loosely - for the nights prior and after. Accommodations booked, flight booked, car rental booked. Everything was set.
This was kind of a last-minute trip, so to stay slightly economical I flew to Albuquerque, which was 4 hours away from where I was staying. A long drive into the desert at night. The sky was magnificent. It was a moonless night, and the stars were out by the billions. A great way to begin the trip.
As I continued to drive, I grew tired. In fact, within 45 miles of my destination, I literally was having trouble keeping my eyes open. Then, out of nowhere a deer crosses my path. No harm done, but it got my adrenaline pumping. I was not happy about the deer but very pleased that I was completely alert for the rest of the trip. I passed through a sleepy little town just prior to arriving at the lodge. It was about 1 in the morning, and I drove a little too fast at the edge of town. Lo and behold a very kind, gentle, older sheriff was on duty and felt the need to pull me over. Literally, five miles from the lodge, I got a speeding ticket from one of the nicest men I have ever had the pleasure to meet. Happy to meet the man, not happy to get the ticket...not happy.
I checked in at the lodge, eventually got to my room. It was after two at this point, and I was exhausted. I finally came down from the adrenaline rush and fell asleep. When I awakened, it was a beautiful sunshine-filled day, and I discovered I was in the middle of the desert. The place where I stayed had been on fire the year before. It was desolate. I love quiet, but desolate is not for me.
Still tired from my journey, I eventually roused myself to have lunch. But I have to admit I spent the first 24 hours of my 5-day trip being bitter that I was in the middle of the desert. The Lord led me to a take a drive into Arizona toward a little town. I made a quick stop at the Four Corners, met a nice young couple on their honeymoon. We took each others' photos being in four states at once and parted ways. Then, I began my drive. Yes, I was being obedient, but I was not happy about it.
I don't recall how far into the drive I was, but somewhere in the Middle-of-Nowhere, Arizona, I saw a little green bush growing out of a rock. I heard the Lord say that He could grow something anywhere, even out of a rock. I felt such calm in my spirit. I repented for my poor behavior and attitude and began to enjoy my time with God.
He led me to many places on that trip that I never could have imagined, and He called me to write this book. He showed me that He creates life where there is no life and restores life where it has been stolen. He brought restoration to me through the starkness of the desert and the display of abundant life in the nearby national forest where I had my one-night retreat. It was a glowing time. I was thrilled that even though I didn't know why I was to go, I went...into the desert alone to be with God....to be alone where He could speak to me. I guess desolate is for me after all.
Thanks, God.
Until next time...
"Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes" (Psalm 17:7, NIV).
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