In the Desert

In 1971, the song “A Horse With No Name” was released by the rock group “America.” The song tells a story of a desert journey on . . . well, an unnamed horse. The song describes what happens on Days 1, 2, and 3. On the ninth day, the rider lets the horse run free.

It is such a strange song to me. Truthfully, I never liked it, but it has an interesting message. Check out the words in the chorus. The rider discovers something that we can, too.

I’ve been through the desert on a horse with no name

It felt good to be out of the rain.

In the desert you can remember your name

Because there ain’t no one for to give you no pain.

La, la, la, lala la la la, la, la (more la’s).

What is a Desert Anyway?

Deserts can offer more than just sand and arid temperatures. In fact, Antarctica is the largest desert in the world with 5.5 million square miles! What? Did I say Antarctica? I did! Look it up if you don’t believe me. That’s because the definition of a desert is any area that gets less than 10” of rain a year. It doesn’t have to be hot. There are different types of deserts.

I walked on the largest hot desert this summer when I visited Egypt – the Sahara Desert. It rose to a steamy 119 degrees when I was there.

Collectively, deserts make up 1/5 of the planet’s land area. With so many, it is no wonder we find ourselves in a desert at some point, both physically and figuratively.

Lessons from the Desert

Let’s spend a little time today putting on spiritual glasses and considering what the desert has to teach us. Perhaps you are in one right now. Moses spent a lot of time in the desert with the Israelites. He also received divine revelation (I.e., burning bush) in the desert. Elijah found himself there, too, as did John the Baptist. Even Jesus was in the desert when He was tempted by Satan.

God determines what is in our hearts in the desert. Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands (Deut.8:2).

Here are some lessons we can learn while in the desert:

• Solitude and inner reflection – Deserts strip away distractions, leaving room for introspection. That was one of the discoveries our singer with an unnamed horse made. You can confront yourself while being separated from the noise of society. Solitude fosters clarity, allowing for the opportunity to face fears, desires, and truths.
• Surrender and trust – Survival in a desert requires surrender to forces beyond our control, translating to having to trust in a Higher Power.
• Simplicity – The desert minimizes everything. One must be able to detach from worldly possessions, revealing clarity.  
• Freedom – The open expanse of the desert symbolizes freedom. Its vastness without boundaries or clutter offers a sense of limitless possibility. This freedom equates to being unleashed from the constraints of materialism or expectations.
• Humility – One feels small standing in the openness of the desert. But with that feeling of smallness comes a connection to something greater: God. Human concerns are put into perspective and become clearer.
• Emptiness – Looking at it from a positive angle, the desert creates a blank canvas – if you will – one for creating, discovering new insights, or opening yourself to divine inspiration. Embrace uncertainty. View the unknown as a path to deeper understanding. Answers will emerge.
• Silence – Make silence a gateway to listening. The absence of noise allows for deeper awareness.
• Resilience and endurance – The desert teaches perseverance. Strength is forged through struggle. Consider the formation of diamonds and pearls. Precious things can come from patience and courage.
• Awakening – Let the desert become a sacred pilgrimage or spiritual journey.

Allow the desert to be your teacher. Pause, listen, and be transformed. Make it a sacred space to internalize some of these lessons. Native Americans and monks view the desert as a place of sacred journeying to challenge the body and the spirit, leading to a profound personal and divine connection.

The next time you find yourself in a desert place, make it purposeful – not just dry and useless. Apply the desert’s wisdom to your life. Testing, dependence on God, and sustaining provision can happen in the desert along with renewal, repentance, and purification. Let it refine your character and faith.