When Rachel Yarworth started compiling this collection of devotionals, she asked how people defined a wilderness experience. The consensus was that the wilderness is a place of loneliness. However, if you read her book, you will discover it is so much more. There is treasure to be mined even in dark places, and Rachel shows us how.
Although Finding Jesus in the Wilderness is ideal for lent because it is split into 40 sections, I believe it is relevant for any season. You can either skip ahead to the chapter that best describes your current struggle, or read chronologically, following Rachel’s natural thought progressions. The themes alternate beautifully from negative to positive, so the chapter on loneliness is followed by thoughts on hearing God speak, and the section on suffering precedes words about God’s comfort.
This book is Holy Spirit inspired and filled with profound scriptural encouragement, yet it is not a lesson in theology or a list of things we should do to fight our way out of the wilderness and live the victorious Christian life. It is written from the point of view of someone still trudging through her own wilderness journey. Many authors wait until their season of suffering is over before putting pen to paper. They look back from an open place of sunlight, joy, and healing, and write with rejoicing of how God brought them through. Of course, those books are wonderful, but there is something special about a friendly voice speaking words of hope from the centre of her pain. Rachel may not yet have received all her answers, but she is still clinging on to Jesus and going deeper in her faith walk despite the challenging season. As a reader, this made her words feel sincere and authentic. There is an emphasis throughout on leaning on God rather than on our own strength.
Some of the positive aspects of wilderness-dwelling highlighted in this book may seem surprising. We rarely think of it as a place of rest, revival, or as a place where the divine bridegroom woos his beloved.
Allow this beautiful book to be a gentle companion as you navigate your own wilderness journey, and I believe you will truly discover treasure hidden in dark places.