Life isn’t always green pastures and mountaintops. Sometimes, it feels like we’re trudging through a desert; dry, exhausting, and overwhelming. In her heartfelt poem “My Oasis in the Desert” from In Christ Alone!, Brenda Westmoreland reflects on what it means to cling to God when everything feels barren. Her words remind us that even in the driest seasons, there is hope, and that hope has a name.
When Blessings Overflow and When They Don’t
Westmoreland begins by recalling the many blessings God has poured into her life. Yet she admits how easy it is to lose sight of those blessings when trials come. Isn’t that true for all of us? When life feels good, we celebrate God’s faithfulness. But the moment hardships hit, we often forget His goodness and long to stay on the mountaintop instead of walking into the valley.
God, however, doesn’t abandon us in the valleys. As Westmoreland writes, He “gently takes my hand, and allows me to stand beside Him, then He walks with me through this valley that I am now in.” What a beautiful reminder: we never walk the desert alone.
The Desert Experience
The desert in Scripture often symbolizes testing, waiting, or refining. Israel wandered for forty years. Jesus fasted there for forty days. And each of us, in our own way, faces seasons that feel just as dry. Westmoreland describes it powerfully:
“When I must walk through the hot, burning sand—of the desert of my life—and I feel the burning sands are making overwhelming demands, please show me an oasis—of Your Love.”
The desert doesn’t last forever. Even when life feels parched, God promises streams of living water. He Himself becomes our oasis, offering refreshment, strength, and hope.
Holding On to Hope
What keeps us moving through desert seasons is not our strength but God’s presence. His Word assures us:
- “Fear not, for I am with you… I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
- “Trust in the Lord with all your heart… and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5–6)
God doesn’t just see us in the desert; He rescues us there. He provides oases of grace, unexpected encouragement, small victories, reminders of His presence, that keep us moving forward.
Final Thought
The desert is real, but so is the Oasis. Even when life feels unbearably dry, God is still working. He is the shade in the heat, the living water for our thirst, and the cord of hope that pulls us through.
If you’re in a desert season right now, take heart. God hasn’t left you there to wither. He is your Oasis, your Hope, and your Everlasting Friend.
