Purpose in the Wilderness

On this peaceful Saturday morning as the sun was shining through the window it felt like the perfect opportunity to open my Bible and spend some time in the Lord's word. Before I even unzipped my beautiful Vera Bradly cover, I asked the Lord to speak to me in a special way and boy did He ever! 

Purpose can be defined as the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists (Google). I do not know about you but I am one of those people who needs a purpose in order for life to make sense. I have to know that there is a reason that I am doing what I am doing. As a result, I am one of those people who likes to ask "why?".

My college years have left me with a lot of those "why" questions such as "Why do I need to know about Global Literature in order to be an Exercise Physiologist?" or  "Why do professors require us to purchase textbooks that we will never use again once the semester is over?". Perhaps one of the most pertinent questions I have faced is "Why or what is the purpose for this season?"

This morning the Lord gave me a very clear answer in Deuteronomy 8:2-3:

"Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord."

I just get so excited when the Lord reveals to me how his words that were written so long ago are relevant in my life today! 

My "wilderness" has been filled with many trials and tribulations. Some of those trials were out of my control and others were consequences of my own actions. Either way it has been a season filled with heartache and spiritual growth. In the moments where my circumstances seemed overwhelming I recall holding my breath and praying, "God, please reassure me there is a purpose for all of this".

As I look back at Deuteronomy 8:2-3 I see how the trials that I faced in the past were meant to break me so that the Lord could build me back up. The Lord had to teach my very stubborn heart that his way was best and that if I could just learn to rely on him I was going to make it through. The Lord intended to use my season in the wilderness to draw me closer to his side. He was teaching me that he alone could and would sustain me if I was willing seek him with all of my heart.

The Lord has been very faithful to bring much healing and redemption to my life in regards to the previous season of my life. However, I find myself in a new wilderness of sorts. As a college senior there are so many unanswered questions that I have in regards to my future. "What am I going to do with my life?, Where am I going to live?, Am I ever going to meet Mr. Right?". In this time I pray that I would learn to embrace the purpose the Lord has for me this season. I pray that I would faithful to live off of his life-sustaining words that satisfy my soul no matter how uncertain my circumstances may seam!

I think Love & The Outcome says it best:

We believe
There is purpose, there is meaning
In everything
We surrender to His leading
He wants nothing more
Than to have us close

(He Is With Us)

So if you are finding yourself lost in the wilderness take heart in knowing that the Lord has a divine purpose for this season and that in fact it may be more for your personal growth than anything else!

God Bless!

-Emily