In the reading today from Deuteronomy 8:1-10 there is a staggering verse. I have read this passage before, but this time it absolutely hit me when I read it. Deuteronomy 8:2, “Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.” As we walk through the wilderness of this Lenten season, this idea of God testing our hearts in order to know us is just sitting in front of me.
Why is it we live such compartmentalized lives that at the same time we acknowledge God as all knowing and think we can hide part of ourselves from him? I find myself doing this all the time. I go to confess to God some desire of my heart or attitude that does not reflect his work in my life and I act as if he does not know already. It still needs to be confessed, but it has not been hidden and unknown.
God tests us to see how we will live. How will the tests of discipline and faithfulness that come in the desert show our true nature? During Lent perhaps we get a brief glimpse into the reality of our souls. During this time of preparation we discover who we really are. Maybe we find our lack of discipline by realizing how hard it is for us to give up simple things and focus on God. Maybe we find out how much our faith has grown as we wait on answers from God with patience and expectation. Perhaps it is during confession when we see God’s hand at work within us and realize that what we confess today is far different from what we confessed a year ago.
Regardless of what we find out, we must understand that God knows us. He tests us because he knows us. He leads us through the wilderness because he knows us. He is faithful and responsive to us because he knows us. So as you walk this journey walk it knowingly. Seek to be known and to know yourself. And may you find that the more you find God and are known by him the less you worry about hiding yourself from God.
February 26, 2007 at 9:56 pm
Interesting thoughts, Greg. I must say that after this past weekend I have a better understanding of “wilderness” and how it applies to my life and things that I’m talking to God about. In this time, we are being molded and we are learning, knowing, and hopefully coming closer to God. I’m noticing more where I’m being tested and I hope that at the end of this wilderness time I’m closer to God than I was and have a better knowledge of what He has in store for me.
February 27, 2007 at 1:47 pm
The exciting part for you Shannon is that you are just about to go on a three year expedition of the wilderness. There is nothing better and nothing harder.
February 27, 2007 at 3:04 pm
Greg, what you are describing to me is the tangible “work” done during Lent. As we let go or take up, it helps to understand what can be done during this time of discipline…what we should expect…how we may be transformed. This is not just an endurance test or a time of steeling against temptation. It is exciting to think that during this intentional seeking of a Lenten wilderness, alone but yet together, we can know that God is moving among us. Goosebumps! K