The Wilderness: A Door of Hope

I wouldn’t say I am much of an outdoorsy person. The idea of camping out in the woods, pitching a tent… it has never really appealed to me. The “wilderness” has never felt like a place I ever want to spend an extended period of time.

A little while ago I found myself on the threshold of a spiritual wilderness. I could see it, vastly stretching in front of me, with no end in sight. I didn’t know where it would lead, or where I would end up if I chose the wilderness ahead. My only other option was to turn back around. 

But as I stood on the threshold of this decision, I realized I was not alone.

“Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness” (Hosea 2:14)

Just ahead of me, there is Jesus, making a way through the confusing vastness with sweet words of encouragement and comfort. 

On this threshold I have nothing. It is all behind me. 

The choice is clear. All I can choose is Jesus. All I can choose is the wilderness He is leading me into.

As I step forward, Jesus gently reaches for my hand, and in that one choice, I feel a long awaited wave of peace.

“[I will] bring her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her” (Hosea 2: 14)

Oh how my view of the wilderness has changed in this season. 

Where I thought it would be all pain and loneliness; a sort of “pushing through” to make it to the next day, Jesus has been the most gentle and tender guide.

He had a place prepared just for us in the wilderness, and He has provided everything I need. 

It is as if we have our own little campsite that He went ahead and prepared for me days, weeks, months in advance; making it perfect for the healing and restoration He knew I would need.

We sit and talk for hours a day, and Jesus speaks tenderly, oh so tenderly to me. He answers my questions, He wipes my tears, He holds my hands. I never want it to end.

“And there I will give her vineyards, and make the Valley of A’chor a door of hope” (Hosea 2: 15)

The Valley of A’chor - literally translated to a “Valley of Trouble”; a variation of “Achan”, a man who caused the Isrealites a great defeat after the victory of Jericho. The “Valley of A’chor” served for the Israelites thereafter as a reminder of failure, setback, and defeat.

That is exactly how I imagined the wilderness of this new season to be as I stood on that threshold. I felt shame, failure and defeat. That somehow, the pain I was feeling from the disappointment behind me was my fault. The wilderness was a setback, a punishment and a consequence. 

But no. Not this time, says Jesus. 

I will make this a “door of hope”.

Of course He would. 

Only our Saviour can turn our greatest sufferings into a season of redemption.

Only our Saviour can turn a Valley of Trouble  into a Doorway of Hope.

“[And there], I will make you lie down in safety… and you shall know the Lord” (Hosea 2: 18-20)

I would never have chosen the wilderness for myself. I could never have imagined the joy and peace that would be offered to me in this season.

I could never have imagined being grateful for the wilderness, for this time and place that Jesus has prepared just for me. A place that only me and Him can be. 

A place where my heart and all its anxious wonderings can finally rest. Where I can feel safe in the presence of our Lord, knowing that He is taking care of everything.

I can see the door of hope just ahead. I know I soon will have to stand up and cross that threshold into a new season where Jesus will again be waiting for me in a new and beautiful way.

But for now, I am content here in the wilderness. 

I am touched by the heart of my Beloved here. 

Here, in the wilderness, He holds my heart safely in His wounded, glorious, tender and redemptive hands.

Here, in the wilderness, I am at peace.