desert discipleship: part two

“He found him in a desert land

and in the wasteland,

a howling wilderness;

He encircled him, He instructed him,

He kept him as the apple of His eye.

As an eagle stirs up its nest,

hovers over its young,

spreading out its wings, taking them up,

carrying them on its wings,

so the LORD alone led him,

and there was

no foreign god with him.”

(Deuteronomy 32:10-12)

Mrs. Lander had an excellent reputation for turning out excellent kindergartner students. Children who exited her class knew how to read, how to write, how to work with numbers, how to listen attentively, how to conduct themselves in an orderly manner…and all the tiny details of kindergarten learning in between. She was the epitome of an old-school teacher: long skirts, gray hair in a bun, glasses on a chain.

Although her face was stern, she smiled easily and her words, though blunt, were usually kind and thoughtful. More than four decades of kindergarten teaching produced over 1,500 capable students and garnered her much respect. Parents adored her, kids respected her and the first grade teachers enjoyed the fruit of her labors.

Some might assume that such an excellent teacher was characterized by making a comfortable, “everybody’s a winner,” no-high-expectation classroom (“they are only kindergartners after all”) environment for her students.

Mrs. Lander did nothing of the sort.

I should know.

She was my teacher.

Mrs. Lander was, in fact, an excellent teacher because she was committed to the goal of an excellent education in the matters of heart and soul—and she was committed to the process it took to get us there. In love, she disciplined disobedience. With patience, she expected us to “try, try again.” With consistency, she never let a child “off the hook.” With joy, she praised us for success. She taught us orderliness, determination, honesty, and attentiveness. She taught us Biblical truths. She taught us to reverence God.

Yes, she was firm.

Yes, she had high standards.

Yes, she made me cry.

But in those afflicted moments, when I hadn’t completed a lesson and I was left alone at recess in the silent classroom at my desk, Mrs. Lander would come and find me. Lowering herself into one of those tiny, wooden chairs, she sat side-by-side with me, helping me understand, encouraging me in my efforts and praising me when I finished. Her eyes would sparkle and my heart would glow as she gave me one of her warm smiles, sending me outside to play.

It was in these moments—these one-on-one “private lessons,” that I grew to love and trust this woman—even when she brought “affliction” into my life. I instinctively understood she had my good in mind. My heart turned from simply wanting to do well as a student for the sake of being a good student. Instead, I wanted to be a good student because it brought pleasure to my teacher, whom I loved.

Isn’t this how it is with Jesus? He is the most excellent Teacher. He is not excellent because His classroom is comfortable or His methods make us feel good. He is most excellent because He is absolutely committed to the perfection of the heart and soul of every student—and He is committed to the process it takes to reach that perfection. Every day He speaks to us. Every moment He instructs us. And when the classroom of life becomes too noisy for us to pay attention, He keeps us in from recess.

In other words, He brings in some affliction.

“I know, O LORD, that your

judgments are right,

and that You in faithfulness

have afflicted me.”

(Psalm 119:75)

The key word here is “faithfulness.” Our Teacher doesn’t afflict out of anger. He doesn’t afflict to “make us pay.” He takes us through trials because He is serious about our training. He afflicts us with desert difficulties because He is completely devoted to our relationship with Himself. The more we reflect Him in our hearts, the closer we will be drawn to Him—

and that is His ultimate goal.

He longs for us, He lives for us, His every desire is for us.

He will never settle for anything that comes between us and that goal.

Yes, He is firm.

Yes, He has high standards.

Yes, He makes us cry.

But look how Jesus interacts with His desert student:

He encircles him, He instructs him, He keeps him as the apple of His eye.

Are you being taught in the desert? Is He taking you through trials and afflictions?

Consider this: Jesus has chosen you for His personal teaching and care. He has chosen you for the privilege of private lessons. You are the center of His attention. You are the entire focus of His heart. Every word He speaks is intentional. Every step forward is directed. Every circumstance is created with you in mind. Every moment is filled with purpose and meaning. He treats you as His favorite. He fusses over you, like an eagle, carrying, shielding, lingering.

Stop fretting and really look at your Teacher. Listen to Him. Cast away any self-pity and bitterness of a resentful student. Sit up and pay attention to what He is teaching. Write down the wisdom He shares. Think throughout the day about the insights He reveals to you through His Word. Pray them back to Him with thanksgiving. Obey them with eagerness.

As our Teacher gives us desert training, and our hearts respond with loving obedience, Jesus gives us the extraordinary promise of even more of Himself.

“Whoever has My commandments

and keeps them…

I will love him

and manifest Myself to him.”

(John 14:21)

More of Himself—more of His beauty, His depth, His wisdom, His majesty. The more of Him we know and learn, the more we will be just like Him.

“And though the Lord give you

the bread of adversity

and the water of affliction,

yet your Teacher will not

hide Himself anymore,

but your eyes

shall see your Teacher.”

(Isaiah 30:20)

“But let him that glories glory in this:

that he understands and knows Me.”

(Jeremiah 9:24)

“I will bless the LORD

who has given me counsel.”

(Psalm 16:7)