Deserts

     I’ve been thinking about deserts lately. There are many people wandering near a desert in a land of crippling fear. They long for nothing more than to be whole, but to find the stream of healing or the well of salvation they will have to cross a great expanse of nothing but sun and sand. Many aren’t certain where the water source is located. To most, the desert looks too terrifying to embark upon alone. They are sure they will die before they reach the source of miracles.
    This is where the rest of us come in. Each of us has our own gifts to offer. Some may offer a map, others encouraging words, still others might send a bottle of water with the traveler. And often someone will have it laid on their heart to travel across the desert with seeker. It is these companions who often face the greatest challenge. Because their eyes are not clouded with fear and memories of the past, they are able to see the way much more clearly. To them, it seems obvious which direction to travel.
    In an over-zealous attempt to help, these companions sometimes race ahead so far toward the source that the person they are trying to help gets lost in the spray of sand, unable to make their crippled feet run at the same rate as the healthy person ahead of them. There are other times where the companion grabs the hand of the person they are trying to help and pulls them toward the goal. “Can’t you see it?” they say, “It’s right there! Just look!” But the seeker cannot see that far, and the companion soon becomes exhausted from all the tugging and pulling, and the two crumple exhausted on the desert floor, neither with strength left to continue.
    There is another scenario. Perhaps the saddest of all. Sometimes the companion forgets that each must find the way for themselves, that they are only there to walk with the seeker. In an attempt to be the best companion they could ever be, they march in front of the seeker, plowing towards the Great Source of Life. Sometimes they even reach the well, and they urge the seeker to drink. But the seeker cannot. For in the great desire to help, the companion has placed himself between the seeker and the well. The seeker has no strength left to go around the companion. They love the companion, after all, and want to follow where they are directing. But the companion stands in the path, their presence keeping the Source from doing His healing work.
    What, then, is the job of the companion? We must remember it is not our job to set the pace. It is not our job to do all the work. It is not our job to get between the seeker and God, trying with our limited wisdom to lead. Our job is so much simpler.
    Just because it is simple does not mean it is easy. When you love someone, it is difficult to step back and let them find their way. We see the agony they are going through and we want to hurry their journey to joy. But we need to relax. We are there to walk with them. We are there to encourage, to sometimes give advice, but we are not there to take over the journey. We dare not stand between the man in the desert and the well. We do not walk ahead, but beside.
    God has ordained choice since creation. We, as companions, must be careful not to give the impression we are taking away that freedom. We must love with the love of our Father. Love that is willing to let go. Love that knows loving is painful, but chooses that pain with joy.
    And as we step back, walk with, and offer support, the chances actually increase of the seeker finding the well and plunging into the healing stream. They will be stronger and more surefooted for having found the Source in the timing of the Father. They will be able to walk through future wastelands with more confidence.
    And someday, both the seeker and the companion will walk together in another land, where there is not desert, but golden streets. Where the beating sun is replaced by the light and love of the Father’s Son. Where joy will never end.
    It doesn’t matter if you are the seeker or the companion. Sometimes, perhaps, we are a little bit of each. Both can reach the well, both will find it expedient to bathe in the stream. Do not fear the journey. It is the most hopeful thing you can ever undertake.
    Sending each one of you love and courage!