When the Wilderness Hits: Finding God's Provision in the Hard Places

Sometimes, the most powerful lessons we need don't come in a neatly packaged manual; they come from the deep, dusty places—the metaphorical, and sometimes literal, wildernesses of life. When we talk about missionary preparation, we often focus on the excitement of the 'before' or the joy of the 'after.' But what about the middle? What about the stretch where the oases are far apart, the murmuring starts, and the supply seems to run low?

I was reflecting recently on the journey of the Israelites leaving Egypt. It’s a powerful narrative, one that gives us so much to draw strength and perspective from. It’s a reminder that just because we are moving toward the promised land, it doesn't mean the journey will be comfortable, or even easy. We will encounter stretches of 'Wilderness of Sin'—a name that speaks to the reality of our own human frailty and occasional lapses in faith.

Drawing Lessons from the Exodus

The podcast episode we listened to this week delved into the physical realities of the Exodus, pointing out the details—like the specific routes and the difficulty of the territory—that help make the scriptures feel more real. But for us, as Latter-day Saints, the deepest lessons are spiritual. The Israelites were faced with scarcity. They were hungry, they missed the great agriculture of Egypt, and they began to murmur against the Lord’s plan.

What does that teach the next wave of disciples?

• The Reality of the Field: The Lord doesn't promise a life without difficulty. The 'field' (whether that's a mission or just your own neighborhood) will have dry spots, moments of doubt, and times when the natural resources—or the personal motivation—feel depleted.
• The Danger of Murmuring: Murmuring isn't just complaining; it's doubting the Lord's timing, doubting His power, and doubting the process. The scripture is clear: the Lord hears our murmuring, but He also provides when we trust Him.
• The Promise of Provision: In the morning they received bread, and in the evening they received flesh. The provision was always there, even when their complaints were loudest. This is the constant promise for every member: the Spirit, the ordinances, and the Lord's help are always available, even when the path seems impossibly long.

The Spirit as Our Oasis

If the wilderness is the physical, challenging journey, then the Spirit is the oasis. It's the place of rest, sustenance, and direction that allows us to survive the stretches between the revelations. When you feel that sense of spiritual dryness—that feeling of being in a spiritual desert—don't focus on the distance to the next major revelation. Focus on the little wells of water you have right now.

How do we find those spiritual oases?

1. Consistency in the Fundamentals: Keeping up with scripture study, prayer, and following the Spirit are like visiting those 12 wells of water at Elim—they are consistent, dependable, and life-giving.
2. Connecting with the Saints: Our companions and local leadership (our district leaders!) are our fellow travelers. We need to bear our struggles and our triumphs together.
3. Seeking Knowledge: Using tools like LivingBook for social scripture study or joining a Book Club in HolyPlaces helps us connect the dots and understand the full scope of the Lord's plan.

The lesson from Exodus is that nothing about the Lord's plan is too big, too long, or too difficult for us to traverse, provided we keep our eyes on the promise and our focus on the Spirit. Keep moving, disciples. The Lord is preparing the way.

A Challenge for the Next Wave

If you're feeling the strain of the wilderness right now—whether it’s a tough week at work, a difficult discussion in the field, or just general spiritual fatigue—I have a small challenge for you. Let's do a weekly Disciple Challenge this week. I encourage you to spend 15 minutes journaling about a time when you felt spiritually dry or frustrated, and then write out three specific ways the Lord provided, even if they were small. This practice of recognizing past provision helps anchor us for the journey ahead.

For those who love digging into the details, I highly recommend checking out the Iron Rod author's deep dives into the book of Isaiah in LivingBook. It's a rich reminder that even the most challenging scriptures are filled with promises of redemption.