By Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Erik Spicer, USAG Fort Bliss Deputy Installation Chaplain

Time in the desert

By Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Erik Spicer, USAG Fort Bliss Deputy Installation Chaplain

Throughout time, man has gone to the desert for change. That change has been both desired and undesired. Some are compelled to go to seek solitude for reflection, meditation, and spiritual enlightenment. Others have gone to the desert to escape from troubles and burdens. Yet still, some have gone because of compulsion from outside sources. 

Many of us have come here because of compulsion from outside sources, but the results will be whatever you desire, good or bad. Ask yourself, “What do I want from my time in the desert?”

In the hustle of all that happens around here, have you ever taken the time to look around to see the beauty of God? The beauty here is different, but it is there all the same – in the sunrise, and the sunset – as the purple and orange sky filter through the dust. As I run through the desert I am deafened by the wind, the sound of sand falling on sand, seeing footprints disappear, then looking up to see the bright blue sky. I realize that this is holy ground. We are standing on holy ground, because we are standing on land that God created for greatness. We stand in a place where God wants to teach us, change us, and mold us into his image.

Is your heart prepared for that, or do you want to be like those who came to the desert and went mad because they focused solely on themselves?

Moses was not unlike us, he came to the desert to do a job, tend to the flock of his father-in-law, when suddenly he found himself standing on holy ground.

Here was Moses, just doing his job, being a shepherd, when he passed a bush on fire. No big deal in the desert – it’s hot, and it has been known to happen in that part of the world. On a second look, he noticed that the bush was not burning up. What’s more, God called Moses from the bush to get his attention. When he did, he told Moses to take off his sandals, because he is now on holy ground. In that time it was customary to remove your shoes as a sign of humility when in the presence of greatness and authority, it was being conscience of your own unworthiness. 

When we stand in the presence of God, we need to be mindful of our unworthiness. Throughout each day we are standing in the presence of God. We need to be conscious of that and allow it to affect all that we do, so that we may act with humility. It is easy to recognize God and be humble in church when you’re with 75 others worshipping. It is more difficult, however, when you are out there, and the trials of life wash over you. 

Think about how much it can affect you when you realize you are standing on holy ground. Moses was never the same; here was a fugitive from Egypt, unwanted by his own kind, working as a shepherd for his father-in-law when he experienced God. Moses figured he was living out the rest of his life in the desert herding sheep. 

When we come into the presence of God or experience him, we are changed. It is different for each person, because God knows what gets our attention. Like Moses, the whole course of our life can change, from fugitive shepherd to leader of the exodus. God can do amazing things with us, if we do just as Moses did, turn aside from what we are doing, humble ourselves, and give him our attention.