The Desert Season
I am not at all sure where time went. Classes are over and now I'm in major study mode preparing for two weeks worth of finals starting after Thanksgiving. Just like that, my first semester of law school is almost over.
Looking back though, I see how much I've learned - about the law, God, and myself. These last three months have truly made up a unique season in my life.
You may never know that Jesus is all you need, until Jesus is all you have. -Corrie Ten Boom
This quote sums up this season of my life so well. The thing about moving away from home for the first time, to live alone in a city where you don't know a soul, is that it brings to light a lot of your vulnerabilities.
Before I moved, I had a strong support system - my family, friends and church kept me grounded emotionally and spiritually.
But then, it was just me. And Jesus. Suddenly, He was the only one I could turn to when loneliness threatened to overwhelm my sanity, or when after hours of studying, I still didn't understand the concept.
He was there for me when no one else in my life could be. He was there on the late study nights and the crying jags when thing just got too hard. He was there when my funds ran out and when I struggled with feelings of inadequacy.
Like a thirsty soul wandering the desert, I began to seek Him with a hunger that I had never experienced before. For the first time in my life, I began to understand what it meant to truly need God to the core of your being, because there was no one else to run to.
Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia and later returned to Damascus. -Galatians 1:17
The Scripture doesn't tell us why Paul spent three years in Arabia, but before he began his ministry or even joined the other apostles, God sent Him to a foreign land, alone.
As I read about the powerful men and women of the Bible, I began to notice that there is often a period of time in their lives where they had a time of separation between their old life and their new life.
This is a time to prepare your heart for what is coming, to learn to stand with just the support of God - without your family, friends, church, or even financial or life security. It's a painful and difficult period of time that challenges all your beliefs, dreams, and goals.
Jacob was sent to live with his uncle. Moses was sent to the desert. Joseph was sold by his family into slavery. Ruth followed Naomi to a foreign land.
I believe that law school is my time of separation and growth. Even though I've made some great friends in law school and I've found a small church to attend, it's still very much Jesus and me time. I'm quite loving it.
Perhaps God has placed you in your own desert period. Perhaps you cannot make sense of the situation in which you find yourself. If you press into God during this time, He will reveal the purposes He has for you.
The key is pressing into Him. Seek Him with your whole heart and mind. And you will find Him and His amazing destiny for your life.
God has a special calling and message He is building in your life right now, even when it's painful and lonely at times.