Isaiah 40:3 A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare
    the way for the Lord;
make straight in the desert
    a highway for our God.”

Different translations divide the first part of this differently, over whether the voice is in the wilderness or the road is in the wilderness, but the second half unequivocally says the highway is to be in the desert. Besides, punctuation is a relatively modern invention. That’s one thing that can make translation very difficult. That said, the point here is that God is coming, and His route is one that people would generally not choose. However, several factors come into play here. In the first place, Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years before they were ready to enter Canaan. They wandered, but here it specifies a straight highway. I don’t think there’s a speed limit on that highway! The other factor that comes to me is that our lives can seem like wilderness, with political and societal and all sorts of other confusion. We need to let God come into our wilderness. We also need to get that message to those around us, who are likewise wandering in their own private wilderness. The question is whether they recognize that they are in a wilderness, and so receive the message. We generally think of wilderness in the Biblical context as dry and barren, but the term can apply to any area that isn’t cultivated, and could actually be a jungle. Applying that metaphor, some people mistake all the stuff that is growing in their lives for what should be there, instead of the choking vines and weeds it actually is. That’s true for us, too! It is when we work on preparing the way for God that we recognize what is beneficial and what is in His way. We don’t want to hang onto anything that isn’t pleasing to Him!

I am at the point in my life where fresh acquisitions don’t give me much joy, but rather seem to be in the way. Reduction and simplicity seem very attractive! Material things are one factor, but the spiritual is far more important. I want my dreams and ambitions to be focused on God’s kingdom and His righteousness, just as Jesus said. (Matthew 6:33) I don’t want anything to be in the way of my God moving in and through me, for His glory. At the moment I’m aware of all sorts of material junk that I would be much happier without, and I need God’s wisdom and direction in disposing of it. Likewise, I want the Holy Spirit to show me everything of which I need to repent, so that I will allow Him to dispose of it. I don’t believe God is through with me on this earth, so I don’t want anything that will distract me from what He wants me to do. I don’t have the wisdom for that, so I have got to turn to Him constantly and be fully obedient to whatever He shows me.

Father, recent computer-related issues have really brought this home to me. Thank You. I ask for Your guidance and wisdom in dealing with everything, so that Your purposes for me, and for it all, may be accomplished on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!