Where Faith Grows
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
James 1:2-4 NIV
November 4th, 2024
📍San Miguel de Allende, GTO, Mexico
¡Saludos desde el desierto!
As you know from previous letters, the AirBnb I am currently staying in requires a personal mode of transportation to get to El Centro easily. Not having that, I am at the mercy of my kind hosts, who give me rides into town one day a week (which is why I am moving to a new location this week, closer to town and on the bus route).
But being "stuck" here in the desert gives me plenty of time to chew on current events (and I’m not just talking about the stress of the upcoming election)—I've been hashing things out with God on my daily walks through the cacti. They’re teaching me a lot about where my strength comes from in the uncertainty and hard times, and why They lead us into these wilderness seasons.
I'm learning that the crap we go through in life is the fertilizer that nourishes our growth.
Brian Simmons speaks to this so well in the book The Wilderness Where Miracles Are Born, "Faith tested will be faith growing! The food for your faith is the difficulty you're facing right now. Eat your difficulty—gobble it up and watch it disappear."
Like the Israelites in their wilderness season, I am learning to lean on God's provision in the difficulties of my life (find out more about the specifics and how to pray for me and my family in the #lotoprays chat in The Collective 🪷 on Facebook and WhatsApp).
Brian Simmons goes on to say:
The actual Hebrew word for desert comes from a root word meaning “the place of speaking.” Simply stated, the desert is the place where God speaks to us! Some of the greatest messages you receive from God will be spoken to you in your desert difficulty. He will speak in your desert and cause it to blossom like a rose. In the lonely place of isolation, God will speak in a way that you will perceive, and you’ll begin to hear His voice clearly.
My view of El Ranchito de Arleta
God spoke clearly to Their beloved of Their love and care for them when the Israelites were given manna from heaven, and YHWH continues to speak to us and feed Their children the nutrients they need to grow. Instead of eliminating our problems, God shows up with miracles to strengthen us and eliminate our doubts.
In the wilderness seasons of our lives, we can either bury our heads in the sand, trying to numb the pain and stress of it all, or we can choose to accept our circumstances as food for growth, surrendering our desire to change our circumstances and trusting that God is in control.
"But we must also find joy in our sufferings on his behalf. For we know that when the trail gets rough, we must walk with firm steps to reach the end. As we walk firmly in his footprints, we gain the strength of spirit that we need to stay true to the path."—Small Man to the Sacred Family in Village of Iron 5:3-4 FNVNT
God knows what you're going through in your wilderness circumstances. They know what nutrients your faith requires to grow strong and healthy and is faithful to provide. YHWH wants to speak clearly to you, is your heart ready to listen?
If you, too, are in a wilderness season, what specific "food for growth" has God provided you, and how can you embrace this as an opportunity to deepen your trust in Their provision?
With love,
Jennifer
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