Following Christ Through the Wilderness | Devotional

Two fawns were born by our creek this week. In years past, we kept the brush cut short, with little wildlife to be found. But this year, lack of sleep from my parents’ needs increased from failing health, along with a feeling of downright exhaustion after a trying last year, nature was set free.

The days before we spotted the wobbly fawns playing under our large oak tree, I’d catch glimpses of the mama deer just standing there watching me, her majestic form camouflaged in the leaves. Was I a threat? Could I be trusted? Am I just a crazy girl who introduced myself aloud, welcoming her to our home in the woods? Little did I know there were babies all snug and safe in the bushes, just feet from our back door, waiting patiently for their mom to return. 

Last year we had little control of life and nature, however, beauty still broke through. And I learned that giving up control (and fear, regret, shame, and even hurt) instead of just losing control, set me free. Free to receive Christ. And free to receive the beauty of His plan for me. 

Christ tells us in Isaiah 43:18-19, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” 

Jesus doesn’t tell us to come to Him when we are perfect and new. He tells us to come to Him with tattered pasts, broken hearts, and weariness. Christ forgives and renews us. He makes us whole, even when we’ve let things go and our weeds have become overgrown. With Christ, no matter what our mess, beauty, hope, and new life break through. Our beloved Father is always there with open arms, whispering our name to follow Him on His perfect path through the wilderness and the wastelands. 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 

- 2 Corinthians 5:17 

Questions to ponder: 

• What type of hurts or regrets am I hanging onto and why am I allowing them to remain in my thoughts? 
• Are they hurting or helping me in my life now? 
• If I no longer felt sadness or pain from these past experiences, what would my life look like now? 
• What steps can I take to release these negative feelings and allow God to renew my life through Him? 

Bring it to Christ in prayer. He is your rock, your fortress and your deliverer; God is your rock, in whom you take refuge, your shield and the horn of your salvation, your stronghold (Psalm 18:2). 

Thank you for visiting The Beauty of Autumn blog, where we celebrate midlife. If there are topics that you’d like to talk about in future posts, please write to me at diana@thebeautyofautumn.com. I look forward to getting to know you more and walking alongside you as we navigate this season of our lives.