The Ultimate Landscaper

The wilderness and the desert will be glad, and the Arabah will rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it will blossom profusely and rejoice with rejoicing and shout of joy. Isaiah 35:1,2

Wilderness and desert. Those two words conjure up images in my mind of emptiness, loneliness, and dryness. While there may be life and plant growth in such places, it is sparse. Compared to a tropical rain forest or lush landscape it has more barrenness than vegetation. Conditions are ripe for thirst and discomfort.

Many times it is not unusual to find ourselves in spiritual deserts and wildernesses. At first glance there is no shade, no food, no water, and no company. It certainly lacks the comforts of home. Makes me more fully appreciate the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness fasting and praying.

That's one reason today's verse seems so extraordinary to me. to think of a wilderness or desert being glad, rejoicing, and blossoming is amazing! Sounds like an incredible way to spend my time in a place that is so easy to dread. If God can bring water out of a rock, He can surely bring life to the barren places in me.

His desire for me is to experience the joy and rejoicing even in the midst of my deserts. My flesh cannot manufacture this on my own, it must be Spirit produced. Those areas I yield to Him become the landscape He works with. I have a choice. I can hold on to the dryness or release it into His hands. He is the ultimate landscaper.

Father, I have been holding on to the very things You seek to work with. Give me the grace to let go. Amen.