The Wilderness Experience: Lessons from God’s Classroom on Destiny and Transformation
Every journey of destiny passes through a wilderness — a season of obscurity, deprivation, and deep refinement. That was the powerful focus of ThriVe with Babs (Chapter 52), where Babs Oladele guided participants through a soul-stirring session on “The Wilderness Experience: Navigating the Journey of Destiny.”
This teaching wasn’t about punishment, but about process — the kind of divine shaping that molds leaders, tests faith, and births purpose.
Recognizing the Wilderness Season
From the outset, Babs invited participants to examine their own wilderness seasons — those hidden stretches where nothing seems to work, where comfort fades, and where God seems silent. He reminded everyone that these moments are not evidence of abandonment but of divine attention.
“Every destiny passes through its own wilderness,” he said, “because purpose is never born in comfort. It’s forged in the fires of obscurity.”
He explained that while some people are called to public roles, others are chosen to serve quietly — both vital in the fulfillment of God’s greater plan. The wilderness, then, becomes the classroom where each believer learns faith, endurance, and humility.
Destiny, Discomfort, and Divine Refinement
Drawing from biblical parallels, Babs likened the wilderness to the Israelites’ journey from Egypt to the Promised Land — a trek marked by exhaustion, hunger, and divine dependence. He reminded listeners that just as the Israelites faced tests in their transition, every believer must walk through personal deserts before stepping into destiny.
Through the stories of David and Moses, he illustrated how trials are not detours but divine preparations. David’s years in hiding, and Moses’ exile in Midian, were not wasted time — they were seasons of shaping, moments of spiritual conditioning for leadership.
“Suffering,” Babs noted, “isn’t God’s cruelty — it’s His curriculum. Every trial holds a lesson designed to prepare you for your calling.”
The Breaking and Building Process
Babs described the wilderness as a time of breaking — where self-reliance dies and dependence on God is reborn. It’s where pride is stripped away and character is built.
He acknowledged that during these seasons, many feel forgotten, longing for the ease of their past. Yet this breaking, he explained, is necessary for divine elevation. “Before God makes you visible,” he said, “He first makes you invisible — so your roots can grow deep.”
Leadership, Imperfection, and Endurance
The discussion also turned toward leadership under pressure. Babs reflected on Moses’ challenges — dealing with rebellion, criticism, and weariness — to show that even the most anointed are not exempt from human frailty.
Despite his humility, Moses faltered, reminding participants that spiritual maturity does not erase imperfection. “Even in failure,” Babs said, “God’s grace remains the compass of destiny.”
Staying the Course in the Wilderness
As the session drew to a close, Babs warned that not everyone survives their wilderness season. Some grow weary and abandon the process before the promise manifests. Yet, he encouraged resilience — the steadfast faith that keeps walking even when progress feels invisible.
He reminded attendees that, just as God protected Israel from curses in the desert, He also shields His children during their hardest trials. The wilderness, Babs concluded, is not the end — it’s the proving ground of destiny.
“Your wilderness,” he said, “isn’t where you die. It’s where you discover who you truly are.”
A Call to Reflection
Babs invited participants to reflect and share:
- What stage of your wilderness are you in?
- What is God teaching you in the silence?
- How can endurance become your act of worship?
The conversation will continue in the next session, “Making the Most of Your Wilderness Experience,” where attendees will explore how to thrive through the testing season and emerge refined, ready, and radiant for destiny.
ALSO READ: The Wilderness Experience: When God Teaches in Silence
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