Into the Desert

As I type that word "Desert," I can't help but notice how close it is to the word "Dessert." I remember my third grade teacher explaining that we only want to see one snake in the desert, but we'd gladly take a second helping of dessert.  (Good 'ole private school done me up right!) As close as those two words are, they could not have more opposite connotations.  With one we imagine dry, sandy nothingness and the other, a sweet, moist confection that will make our pants fit just a tad bit snugger.  One is barren and wanting, the other an excess.  When given the choice, we always would choose the dessert. But what if we need the desert?  Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert, where He faced not only physical discomfort, but Spiritual tempting beyond anything we can imagine.  Was God cruel and unjust by leading His son to such a desolate place?  No.  The desert was necessary to get Jesus away from everything to be alone with His Father.  It was all a part of His plan.  We may want the dessert instead, but too much leaves us sick to our stomach with a roll around our middle.  God has called us to something greater than ourselves.  He desires an absolute reliance on Him.  With the daily comforts of this world easily accessible, we've learned how to "Do Christianity" without God.  We go to church. We learn the lingo.  We "do good things."  But when does the heart transformation really come?  In the desert.  Only when we have a desperation for Him, then He can show just how sufficient He really is in our lives.  That point of desperation is a heady place: it is uncomfortable and requires a faith a lot bigger than our pocketbook.  God is calling me to the desert and I find myself glancing back at what is comfortable and familiar.  I've grown fond of my dessert, but I'm needing the desert.