I was encouraged by this today in my email.
There are dry, fruitless, lonely places in each of our lives, where we seem to travel alone, sometimes feeling as though we must surely have lost the way. What am I doing here? How did this happen? Lord, get me out of this! He does
not get us out. Not when we ask for it, at any rate, because it was He all along
who brought us to this place. He has been here before–it is no wilderness to
Him, and He walks with us. There are things to be seen and learned in these
apparent wastelands which cannot be seen and learned in the “city”–in places of
comfort, convenience, and company.
God does not intend to make it no wasteland. He intends rather to keep us–to hold us with his strength, to sustain us with his sure words–in a place where there is nothing else we can count on.
“God did not guide them by the road towards the Philistines,
although that was the shortest…God made them go round by way of the wilderness
towards the Red Sea” (Ex 13:17,18 NEB).
Imagine what Israel and all of us who worship Israel’s God would have missed if they had gone by the short route–the thrilling story of the deliverance from Egypt’s chariots when the sea was rolled back. Let’s not ask for shortcuts. Let’s keep alert for the wonders our Guide will show us in the wilderness.
In our wandering in search of a church, God has already shown me a glimpse of the good that He has wrought. Some of the prayers for our family that I prayed years ago are being answered as a direct result of this experience. I just need to keep praying and keep alert for His wonders.
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Leslie Wiggins 
8 responses to “The Search Continues”
Thanks so much for sharing this quote Leslie! We’ve been going through a lonely time since we moved here and it’s been challenging at times. God has also used it to teach us many things!We were without a church for a year and got so lonely that we finally just picked one that seemed “good enough”. Our hope was that we would build some relationships with other Christian families. It’s been eight months now and that just hasn’t happened, plus the rift between our reformed beliefs and those of our pastor is becoming painfully obvious.I know that God will work all of this out for good and His glory…..I keep reminding myself of that over, and over, and over….lol!
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I pray you find a church home soon. I am thankful for your teachable spirit during this time. Like Amy, we were also part of one that seemed ‘good enough’ and it finally came to a point that we had to leave, knowing our character would be attacked in the process. It can be a painfully hard time, but I am thankful we can claim Romans 8:28 – and like Amy said, remembering it is ALL for His glory.
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You guys don’t know how much I appreciate your encouragement. Amy–we are getting closer and closer to just picking a place ourselves. It is hard to make close friends these days, but don’t let that keep you from trying. Jenn–aside from the conflicts associated with feeling like you had to leave where you were, planting a church is real hard work. How is the plant going? I hope its going well!
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What an encourageing quote. We too have had a year of being tempted to wish for short cuts in regard to our church situation. But I have had the same experience with answered prayer for my family. God is good! Christina
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The church plant is going good so far. I would like to hear from you about what to look out for, etc. since you’ve been there before. It is alot of hard work, though – we all wear many hats, but it’s worth it to hear the Word preached every week. I actually went to Samford. Both of my parents are from Alabama so we have always been Roll Tide fans!
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These are wise words Leslie – I’ve been consisdering changing denomination and I think I know some of what you feel about finding the right Church for you and your family.
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Thanks for sharing. I read in my study yesterday that God led them through the wilderness to the Red Sea so they would not give up and turn back so easily when they were scared and discouraged. What a great Truth to learn that God will often take us the long, unsteady route but will bring us to a place to reveal His Glory!
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Amen!
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