Many times we only think of Advent as a time of preparation for the arrival of Jesus. We block off the four weeks before Christmas and dig into an Advent devotional or book, while hustling to get ready for the holidays. We justify the time spent reading a snippet here or there and call that Advent.
I am that person.
For years, I marked off Advent as a piece of my holiday preparation. Instead of highlighting the significance of the time leading up to Jesus’ birth, somehow I fit it into the already busy frenzy of holiday traditions.
Last week, I shared the invitation we each receive from God to spend time in the waiting space. It involves intentionality, intimacy, and introspection. There is not a one size fits all as we enter the Advent season. While we are drawn into the waiting space, we discover the faith it takes in the wilderness. Waiting in the wilderness casts a shining light on Advent when we acknowledge that the time between Jesus’ birth and His return in the Second Coming as wilderness living.
Before we get too caught up in believing that our time on Earth reflects only wilderness living, let’s take a closer look at what this means.
Priscilla Shirer shares her take on wilderness times in her bible study, One in a Million.
The wilderness is a blessing meant to help us see God more fully and completely, to help us love Him more wholeheartedly, and to show us the importance of committing to Him above all else. The wilderness provides a vital and necessary prerequisite to reaching the spiritual abundance He wants to give. The path through the wilderness is the only route to Canaan.
On this first Sunday of Advent, we embrace a status of hope and look with expectancy toward what is to come. The beginning of this season is the start of our walk toward abundance. Jesus, as a newborn in a manger, is our hope and promise of abundance.
But in this season of fullness and overextension, will our eyes remain focused and our hearts stay open to the reason for the season? Fresh starts signal energy and motivation, but what of the times that overwhelm and overtake our hope–filled senses?
I want to dig deeper as we begin Advent knowing that rose–colored glasses can only extend our vision so far before it becomes cloudy. God desires relationship with us and that does not just include the good times, the easy times, or when everything is going well.
Priscilla Shirer’s description of the wilderness times leads the way to hope. Instead, of looking at the wilderness as empty, a time of waiting, or with a scarcity mindset, I see God at the center and it is good.
What does the wilderness look like for you or mean to you? Do you believe that God’s abundance awaits you on the other side?
I am finding that the wilderness place is the tension between what is and what will be. It’s the place where I process what God is teaching me and how He wants me to respond as I move forward. I find the wilderness challenging, frustrating, and ultimately rewarding.
Advent is the space that allows us to process our wilderness times, prepare ourselves for what’s next, and learn that abundance waits on the other side.
Let’s look at the time before Jesus was born. Good news came to Elizabeth via Zechariah, who heard it from the angel, Gabriel. Elizabeth would become pregnant in her old age and birth a son, named John. He was chosen to prepare the way for Jesus. Then Mary was visited by Gabriel, who shared she would become the mother of Jesus, the Son of God. Both Elizabeth and Mary lived in a time of waiting as they anticipated the arrival of their sons. (See Luke 1)
[Tweet “Embrace your wilderness seasons and get to know God more intimately as you walk toward abundance.”]
If we embrace the wilderness as a time to get to know God more deeply and intimately, as Priscilla Shirer describes so eloquently, then we can connect this same idea to the nine month period of time that Mary and Elizabeth both experienced.
Elizabeth and Mary both lived in the wilderness as they joyfully awaited the birth of their sons. During that time, they longed for what was to come as they praised God for the gift He promised.
It is only through the wilderness that any of us reach Canaan–the Promised Land …
the hope of God,
the joy of a life with God,
and the blessing of salvation which is waiting on the other side.
Hope abounds and abundant living is possible.
Blessings for the hope of God!
If you are looking for a fun Christmas giveaway, follow The Joyful Life Magazine on Instagram or Facebook and participate in the 12 Days of Christmas giveaway.
And the first issue, ABIDE, would make a lovely Christmas gift for a special woman in your life. Click HERE.
Thank you for this beautiful reminder of hope and promise in the midst of the wilderness, Mary. A place to process and to deepen our relationship with God. It’s good to look at it through this perspective since the wilderness can sometimes leave us so parched. I thank God that He still sends an Elim once in a while to refresh us. 🙂 Blessings of Advent refreshment and hugs to you!
Your words about Elim reminds me of Priscilla’s study that I quoted from. Have you done the Bible study, One in a Million? It has been such a good study and it has taught me so much about the wilderness. Advent blessings to you too!
We don’t like to think about it, really (especially at this time of year), but there was so much going on there in the wilderness as God led his people toward Promise.
Sometimes that Promise is hard to see, and the waiting does get old.
Thank you for words of hope and for continually pouring out the beauty of God’s working in your own life.
I agree that we don’t like to think about it. But what helps me is knowing that God is in the wilderness with me as well as seeks to deepen His relationship with me while I am there. Your kind words are life-giving. Thank you.
Dear Mary,
Thank you for these beautiful thoughts, and again for your gorgeous photos! That first one in the fog, had such a peaceful feeling to it. And it stirred up questions about finding God’s peace while in the wilderness. Then your thought here felt so much like where I am walking now too: “I am finding that the wilderness place is the tension between what is and what will be.” In that very tension, God’s peace comes as we wait with Him here. Your words were such a blessing for me today.
Advent is my favorite season and as it comes around each year, I realize God wants me to recognize the ways it lingers all year long. Writing about the wilderness is one of those ways. I thank God for how these words blessed you. Thank you for being here.
When we see the wilderness as a place where our hearts can be changed because we draw closer to God, then it really is a place of hope, isn’t it? I love Priscilla’s quote you shared! The whole post, actually! Thank you Mary.
The knowledge that the wilderness is a place of hope is comforting. There are many times I face the wilderness but believe it is a negative place rather than a place to deepen our relationship with God. Priscilla has so many quotable quotes in her Bible study, One in a Million. Thanks for being here.
Mary,
It seems as if I have been in a sort of continual wilderness season. It just doesn’t want to end and maybe it really won’t until I reach the pearly gates?? I do believe that we need the wilderness in order to prepare our hearts for the joy. I love the snippet of Priscilla’s writing- right on target and your whole post spoke to my heart today!
Blessings,
Bev xo
You have definitely faced many challenges these last few years and it probably feels like the wilderness. But I also know you have grown your relationship with God as a result. According to Priscilla Shirer that is the wilderness. And her description makes me want to be in the wilderness. I pray you find God in every detail of your week.
What a great perspective! I have often thought of the 23rd Psalm during wilderness times as it tells us that “even though I walk THROUGH the Valley of Death…” the word “through” reminds me that the wilderness is temporary. I will move beyond it! Reaching Canaan is always possible with God!
Blessings this Advent season!
I think Psalm 23 is the perfect connection to wilderness times and Advent.Thank you for sharing. May we reach for Canaan by choosing God first everyday.
Beautiful post, Mary, and I am grateful to have read it while eating my breakfast this morning before heading to church 🙂 This is the thought I will be thinking on today … “Advent is the space that allows us to process our wilderness times, prepare ourselves for what’s next.” My prayer is that I will be prepared for what is next. Blessings!
Thank you for stopping by before you headed to church. I pray we all find a way to open ourselves to the preparation God wants to do in us.