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Beached with the wowing of waves crashing upon the shore, I’ve got questions. Lord, What is Wilderness?” Between the known place of Canaan and Egypt was space and distance between called “The Wilderness?”

You mean to tell me that there is a line in the sand, a demarcation that signifies that you are no longer in Egypt, entering the Wilderness and have crossed over into Canaan? City limits? Canaan two miles ahead? You are now leaving Egypt and the next rest stop 750 miles? You’ve got to be kidding.

I don’t know anyone who has booked and paid for a trip to the Wilderness. Who opts to do this? Nobody. Even when you are raised in Atlanta or Downtown San Diego, we don’t say, “I live in the Wilderness!! I live outside of it or in a surrounding city. Even though most people have never heard of Way-cross, Georgia or Oceanside, California, we spare them the trouble of simply naming the closest large city, but we never call it the Wilderness. I’m just not cool with the name. It’s sounds like a place of darkness, sharp thorns and thistles.

The space between two destinations is “Wilderness?” Ok then, I’m in Wilderness. My first recommendation is, You may be lost in location but never be lost in relation. That is, relationship with God. Thats the first thing to sure up!! Secure God first. Relationship and Communication. Make sure the phone works, you have a signal and the battery charged. Dear Lord, I’m at the beach but I haven’t thrown the phone in the water. (Sidebar note: it’s ok to be frustrated and mad at people but not God.) Delete all your contacts out your phone, but leave God’s.

Here are a few good questions. After which, we will search the sand for good answers. How do you know you are in the Wilderness? How did I get here? Did I wander off from the pack? Was I led here by inspiration or is this a place of punishment for disobedience? What’s my sentence and how long do I have to stay? Does the water taste different? Is there silverware or do I eat with my hands? What do you do when you are in the Wilderness? Do I burrow for clues, a key or a message in a bottle? Do I shout for help, rummage for vegetables, start a small fire or seek shelter in a hasty foxhole? How do you get out of the Wilderness? Maybe I’m the only one that ask questions like these. Nevertheless, inquiring minds want to know.

Truth is, All we really want to know is how to get out of here. Before we send a chopper in to rescue you, let see what lessons we can muster up.

Perhaps the Wilderness is a PATH to get you to your NEXT. Lest you pop a handful of pills or resolve that this is the end, be encouraged that the Wilderness is possibly a PAUSE and PREPARATION for what is NEXT. To change your direction and get you to your new destination, life requires that you come to a complete stop and make some changes. Wilderness interrupts a life of simply more of the same.

Here’s a question, “Why change a path, give you a pause and offer a moment of preparation when you are not going to change internally and spiritually? Here it is, “If you are going to be out here, make it worth your while!!” Oh and by the way, your stay is TEMPORARY!! (Hopefully!!) Don’t Go setting up a AirBnB, a bed and breakfast or purchasing real estate. It’s TEMPORARY, unless you just enjoy living out of your suitcase, eating beef jerky with no address and searching for somewhere to plug up your cellphone!!

Today, I totally embrace my Wilderness. It’s not my first rodeo or visit here nor will it be my last. I’ve got the bumper sticker, T-shirt and the scars to prove it!!!

I’m gonna try to get through mine, I hope you enjoy yours.

I love you,

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