Endurance for the Journey, Featured

This is what the Lord says:
“Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans,
who rely on human strength
and turn their hearts away from the Lord.
They are like stunted shrubs in the desert,
with no hope for the future.
They will live in the barren wilderness,
in an uninhabited salty land.
JEREMIAH 17:5-6 (NLT)

God changed me in the wilderness. I entered a strong, confident, self-sufficient woman. I departed broken, humbled and completely dependent upon God … I liked being in control of each situation, relationship and day on the calendar. I couldn’t stand not knowing what was going on, what was going to happen next.

But the wilderness stripped the illusion of control right out of my hands. I had to learn to give up my driving need to be in control, and, instead, trust God fully.

And there in those dry desert regions, I discovered that He is worthy of my trust. To this day when I start to grab the reins of control, when I feel myself beginning to manipulate circumstances and people – to get what I want – A vision of the wilderness comes back into my mind. I can almost feel those wind-driven particles of sand stinging my skin. And then I breathe a prayer of thanks to God … for the reminder.

But blessed are those who trust in the Lord
and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
and they never stop producing fruit.
JEREMIAH 17:7-8 (NLT)

On the journey with you,
Jan Dravecky