I never thought the desert could be beautiful
Its dryness denotes lifelessness
Its vastness creates loneliness
It is hostile by its very nature
Reproduction only possible by hard-earned survival
Life is a perpetual fight here
I thought God could only speak from a mountain top
Why descend from there at all, only to enter into
This expanse of dust
We were made for the lush green garden!
And yet, a voice calls out in the wilderness
There is goodness here, if you know where to look
Life flourishes for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear
A flower begins to bloom, defying the spines that surround it
A bird sings from a brittle branch
A rock, carefully and patiently formed, presents itself
Because if my heart ceases to worship,
This hard and sharp thing in my hand
Will cry out its praise
So I willingly come into the wilderness
To meet myself
(Who I was, who I'm meant to be)
Expecting to suffer like everything around me
And draw strength from without
For I found beauty here
Made more glorious in desolation
Hopeful Wanderer 