Wilderness Grace

“Thus says the Lord:

‘The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness…’”

Jeremiah 31:2

What wilderness do you travel today? Illness? Relationships falling apart, or perhaps now completely lifeless even after repeated attempts at CPR? Confusion over current earth events, wondering what new calamity or disaster will smuck us in the face tomorrow?

We don’t have to have a sword at our necks, armies breaking through our strongholds, or be thrust into a foreign prison to be survivors of the sword. Anyone who has ever lived, or will live, on this crazy planet is a survivor of a sword of some kind. Maybe not your sword, but a sword nonetheless.

But. There are many buts in God’s Kingdom. And what I’ve found is that He dwells on the other side of those buts.

He promises grace in the wilderness we travel, but . . .

But. There’s that word again.

He promises grace in the wilderness we travel, but . . . we have to look for it. Seek it. Not in the papers, the news broadcasts, the pastor, or even in the face of a friend.

Up. He tells us to look up, where our redemption from this fallen planet lies.

Go ahead. Tilt your head, wherever you are, and fasten your eyes on the other side of this world. You may only be seeing the ceiling of your prison, but remember, God is beyond that. And He sees you perfectly.

He is. He was. He always will be.

Ask him for grace in your wilderness.

And then look down at the cross-shaped path laid out at your feet. Take the first step.

There’ll be another one after that. He promises. And he’s never broken one.