Desert Safari- Joy and Adventure

Janice M Mathis
Dec 1, 2018
3 min read

Dune bashing and sand surfing? I must admit, I never even knew these were real activities. But, yes, they are. I did both activities on my trip to Dubai in April 2017. Dubai is a glittery city on the edge of the Persian Gulf and Arabian Desert. The streets are clean and wide. The buildings sparkle in the night. When I arrived in Dubai, I was coming from a month in Nepal (I added a link to my blog Doors of Kathmandu below)

The contrast between Dubai and Nepal were extreme. Two different worlds.

A trip to the desert

In Dubai, one of the excursions my husband and I did was a trip to the desert. We drove about an hour from our hotel. Our first adventure was dune bashing. In a 4-wheel jeep, we drove over the hills and dunes. Slipping and sliding and yes even screaming at times. We also tried (well I did, not my husband) sand surfing. It is just what it sounds like. Standing on a board like a surf board, you slide down the sand dunes. For me, I went very slow, but I am proud to say I did not fall. We also rode camels, had diner in a tent camp where we feasted on local dishes, and enjoyed Arabian entertainment. I admit, I had a lot of joy and adventure that day in the desert.

But what about real life?

But what about real life, everyday life? Sometimes we face situations and we feel like the Israelites, wandering, lost and afraid in the desert wilderness. We all go through these times. Life has struggles. financial burdens, health issues, job loss; these are the reality of life and sometimes struggling through these feels like a dry barren desert. Can we trust God is leading us? Can we see God is supplying our needs? Can we feel his presence? Yes, we can find joy in our desert moments.

How do we find joy?

Know the Word of God

Isaiah 58:11 tells us God is leading us

The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered

garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

Exodus 13:21 tells us God is with us

By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.

Exodus 16: 4 God will supply our needs

Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.

Grow our Faith

Just as God lead the Israelites, he is leading us. He is with us and supplies for our needs. We increase our faith by remembering all the times God has helped us before. The bible in Malachi 3:6 and Hebrews 13:8, tells us God does not change. As we pray, read and apply the word of God, we increase our faith. Jeremiah 29:11 says, For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Give Thanks

No matter what we are facing, we can always find a reason to thank God. Giving thanks for the food provided today, thankful for our family and friends, giving thanks for the sunshine or the rain.

Joy for me is more than momentary happiness, more than having a good day or a great job. Joy for me is the assurance of God, knowing him, having faith in him and thanking him for his continued blessings and the anticipation of all he has in store for me.

Friends I pray you have joy. I pray that even in your desert moments. You have the Joy of the Lord in your heart.