I am a big fan of desserts. Chocolate…mint…cream…fruit…donuts! I like just about any thing from the dessert menu. Here is just one tasty looking morsel…

If you remove one letter from dessert, you get desert. This picture will not be as appealing,

Which one would be more to your liking?

Connection between dessert and desert? You bet there is.

While in church this past week, I had this thought:

Sometimes, you have to go through the desert before you can have the dessert.

Our society and culture is focused on the instant. The now is vastly more important than later.

Ultimately, heaven is the final dessert. For now, we are here on earth living our days.

But this principle of “Now and Not Later” has invaded everything we do. Including, I dare say, our faith.

Food – we use microwaves rather ovens (I am not anti-oven, just so you know)

Money – casinos vs hard work

Sex – instant gratification over building a loving relationship with your spouse

Knowledge – Google search is easier than research or study

Power – strength over temptation without memorizing the Word

Jesus fasted for 40 days before he started his ministry. He was often found praying before the sun came up. He knew the value of going through the “desert”. Now he sits at the right hand of the Father in heaven eating his “dessert”!

God wants our hearts. That takes time. Building an intimate relationship with our Lord can sometimes feel like the desert. Good thing that relationship is based on faith and not feelings!

But God is always worth whatever desert we have to get past to find Him.

There is no shortcut to holiness.

Be encouraged today. God sees where you are. Look to Him.

God bless! See you next week!