She stood on top of a hill. Her eyes traveled the distance ahead and set a firm gaze on her destination: the kingdom of glorious light. The One she loved dwelt there, and she had embarked on this journey for Him.
One disconcerting thought occupied her mind: the paradox of having to pursue and seek Someone Who never once left her. She shut her eyes and sensed His abiding presence. He surrounded her and lived within her. He remained a presence felt, yet not fully experienced. His presence not manifested lay at the core of her dissatisfaction. She yearned to know Him as He knew her.
To hear You, to see You, to touch You.
Her heart leaped with anticipation at the thought, but as she opened her eyes, His kingdom stayed atop its distant hill, and she stayed atop hers. She shifted her gaze from her magnificent destination to the vast wasteland keeping her from Him. Her mind echoed a mimic of the psalmist’s ardent cries:
Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly and immediately be at rest—I would flee far away and stay where He is; I would hurry to Him, my Rest, far from the tempest and storm that bring chaos to my soul.
She stared with silent wonder at the sun rising over the wilderness. It neared its peak. Soon, blazing heat would wear her down. She clutched the strap of the pouch she brought with her. The pouch contained one enveloped letter: a love letter from Him. He had instructed her to take nothing from her past life with her; thus, her current predicament. Not wanting to start defeated by doubt, she cast away her worries. She recalled a careless, but willing and heartfelt, prayer she once had uttered one lovelorn moment: Take me through the fire.
Once again, she shut her eyes and clung to hope not from within her, but one born out of desire to fellowship with her Beloved. A faith coming from her little knowledge of Who He was. Through the wilderness, she must tread. His voice, a faint whisper, allured her to venture into the great unknown.
Therefore, I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her.
“I want to be with You,” she whispered. “But—”
If possible, let this cup pass from me, she wanted to echo His words, but she dared not utter the half-meant plea. She recognized she couldn’t take any shortcuts, except for one: His redeeming blood, her salvation. Only His sacrifice could cleanse her and make her worthy of this undertaking. So, she became a sojourner. Though she trembled, she made up her mind to pay whatever price necessary to be with Love Divine. Thus, with a hopeful, Lovesick heart, she heaved a sigh and took a step forward, the first among many leading to Him: the Lover of her soul.
Manna
Verses for Meditation
So I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove!
I would fly away and be at rest.
Indeed, I would wander far off,
And remain in the wilderness. Selah
I would hasten my escape
From the windy storm and tempest.” Psalm 55:6-8 (NKJV)
Therefore, behold, I will allure her,
Will bring her into the wilderness,
And speak comfort to her. Hosea 2:14 (NKJV)
Author’s Reflections
At certain points in our walk with God, we’ve been in this place. We’ve envisioned what our relationship with God could be like and what being part of His kingdom means. Yet, reality is different from what we hope and envision. We struggle to spend time with Him, to obey, and to focus. Thousands of distractions — the windy storm and tempest — pull us away from Him.
We struggle.
And in the midst of the struggle, we hear His constant, alluring voice, coaxing us to come away with Him. We want this. We want His kingdom to come alive in us, to thrive in our daily comings and goings.
Passion becomes a hunger, and discipline becomes a thirst.
None can satisfy but Him.
Consider this an invitation to spend time every day to come away. Wander far off into the wilderness, and let Him speak to you in the unknown.
He is waiting.
May the Spirit be to you as the wings of a dove that you may soar into His presence and be at rest.
This is from allegorical devotional, The Woman in the Wilderness.