Everyone I engage is experiencing some level of challenge in life. Some of these challenges are life altering. What is up with all these trials?

I have been teaching on adult development and the stages of faith with greater frequency. Regardless of what source you grab on these topics, they all have a similar life experience that is described in various ways: 

• the wall
• the dark night
• wilderness experiences
• seasons of disorientation
• boundary times involving loss, grief, and tremendous upheaval.

These all refer to those tough seasons of life. They can last days, months, years, or even entires swaths of our lives. 

We also know from Scripture, biographies, and our own lives that these seasons of disorientation are essential for both our own formation and for ministry fulfillment. God often took his followers, even his own Son, deep into the wilderness for deeply redemptive purposes. The Gospels and Acts are replete with adversity as the gospel is proclaimed and lived out.

This is the way God has created the redemptive process. We may not like it, but our loving and wise Father has designed it so.  Plainly, without adversity, we simply do not grow to full maturity. Further, there is an aspect of following in the Jesus’ and the Apostle’s ministry that requires suffering for ministry fulfillment. 

I want to say that all again: First, We require these adversities to mature and, second, fulfillment of our God-given purposes in life will also require suffering as we go about that in whatever vocational expression we have.

I want to invite us to some deeper pondering on this topic. Here are some questions for you to consider:

First, let’s consider this for our own formation:

 If wilderness is a keen place of God’s redemptive work, would it not be wise to create our own seasons of wilderness? This is akin to following Jesus into desolate places for periods of time. 

How would you imagine doing that?

Why is this essential? I have been reading from a commentary on the Gospels and the author makes the observation that public ministry fosters our false identity. In public there is much performance and people are watching. We can craft a public self. 

In Solitude that is all removed. Thus, the necessity of solitude to allow the Father to speak to us and foster our true identity. Identity is received from God, not self-crafted. We all need to hear the Father’s words to us of his naming us, calling us, and pouring his love out upon us. This is our true identity and allows us to move back into the public arena to truly give our life away to others. Without this orientation, we look to others for that which must come from the Father alone. 

Spend some time reflecting on this dynamic for yourself.

One more personal formation consideration for those seasons when we are not in control. Life happens to us. Things get hard, dark, confusing. 

How can self-induced wilderness times prepare us for life-induced wilderness?

How might we prepare our hearts to remain open toward God – aware and responsive to his presence and redemptive activity –  in these hard times? 

When will you intentionally follow Jesus into solitude? How will you craft your own wilderness?

Second, for vocational fulfillment:

One of the greatest gifts were have is to companion others in their hard times. Our own personal hard times equips us for that gift to others.

How can I walk with others in their wilderness if I have not become familiar with the wilderness myself? How is God shaping you to companion others through these seasons of wilderness?

Further, simply going about the act of loving our neighbor requires sacrifice -from everyday inconvenience to true personal sacrifice. How is God beckoning me on this path/

These are some weighty matters. May you have the grace to find the space and place to weigh in on them with Father, Son and Spirit.

Please, do share your thoughts. Thanks much.