Into The Wilderness, pt. 3—Grow in the Dark

“The liminal person takes up symbolic and transitional status that includes a kind of stripping away of the self… Within the liminal passage there are multiple thresholds of consciousness to traverse, truths to face, and sublime beauty to receive… We may travel voluntarily or have that nether-nether world thrust upon us. The passage may be solitary or taken up in the company of a great number of souls… the crossing of that [luminal] threshold always holds a great challenge and opportunity for transformation, one built into the fabric of existence itself…. Being liminal is not something we endure; instead, it’s a natural state of transformation we must constantly seek in our unfolding journey of higher-order purposes.” —Frank W. Spencer, Embodying a Future that is Alive

James 1:2-4 NIV
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Which of these characters name appears most in Biblical Literature:

a. Abraham
b. David
c. Joseph
d. Moses

Answer:

1 Samuel 22:1-2 NLT
So David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. Soon his brothers and all his other relatives joined him there. Then others began coming—men who were in trouble or in debt or who were just discontented—until David was the captain of about 400 men.

How to Grow in the Dark—

1. Return to with God.

Psalm 57:1-10 NIV
Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. 2I cry out to God Most High, to God, who vindicates me. 3He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me— God sends forth his love and his faithfulness. 4I am in the midst of lions; I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts— men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords. 5Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth. 6They spread a net for my feet— I was bowed down in distress. They dug a pit in my path— but they have fallen into it themselves. 7My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. 8Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. 9I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. 10For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. 11Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.

2. Receive the of faithful friends

1 Samuel 23:16018 NLT
Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God. 17 “Don’t be afraid,” Jonathan reassured him. “My father will never find you! You are going to be the king of Israel, and I will be next to you, as my father, Saul, is well aware.” So the two of them renewed their solemn pact before the Lord. Then Jonathan returned home, while David stayed at Horesh

3. Remember that there are no

1 Samuel 24:1-6 NLT
After Saul returned from fighting the Philistines, he was told that David had gone into the wilderness of En-gedi. 2 So Saul chose 3,000 elite troops from all Israel and went to search for David and his men near the rocks of the wild goats. 3 At the place where the road passes some sheepfolds, Saul went into a cave to relieve himself. But as it happened, David and his men were hiding farther back in that very cave! 4 “Now’s your opportunity!” David’s men whispered to him. “Today the Lord is telling you, ‘I will certainly put your enemy into your power, to do with as you wish.’” So David crept forward and cut off a piece of the hem of Saul’s robe. 5 But then David’s conscience began bothering him because he had cut Saul’s robe. 6 He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this to my lord the king. I shouldn’t attack the Lord’s anointed one, for the Lord himself has chosen him.”

Shortcuts will short- our growth in the wilderness.

“It is only in the heat of pain and suffering, both mental and physical, that real human character is forged. One does not develop courage without facing danger, patience without trials, wisdom without heart- and brain-racking puzzles, endurance without suffering, or temperance and honesty without temptations. These are the very things we treasure most about people. Ask yourself if you would be willing to be devoid of all these virtues. If your answer is no, then don’t scorn the means of obtaining them. The gold of human character is dug from torturous mines, but its dung and dirt are quite easily come by. And it should come as no surprise to us that in our time—the time of the great flight from pain—such virtues as these are conspicuous only by their absence.” —Dallas Willard, The Allure of Gentleness

Our Primary is to the of Christ.

Answer Key: David, intimacy, help , shortcuts, circuit , Calling , Character