Beyond the Brink: Trusting God in Times of Desert and Transformation

Introduction: Gratitude and Longing for Fruitfulness

Having been redeemed by God through Jesus Christ, I carry immense gratitude in my heart and a deep desire to bear fruit for Him. As believers, we yearn to live lives worthy of the Lord, pleasing Him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work, and growing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10). We long to be filled with the fruit of righteousness, glorifying the Father who rescued us with such great love (Philippians 1:11; John 15:8). Yet, when the fruit seems absent, it’s easy to feel disheartened. Like Jesus, we want to join our Father in His work, doing what He is doing in our generation (John 5:19). However, there are times when God leads us into the desert—a place of barrenness and scarcity, where fruit is not produced but survival is the goal.

The Desert Experience: Current Struggles and Reflections

This morning, I woke up feeling the weight of the desert experience—a place where I feel unproductive, unable to bear fruit for the Beloved of my soul, my Savior, my Redeemer, my Friend Jesus. It’s a heavy burden to carry, and this discouragement has lingered over recent days. Having been saved by Jesus for over 20 years, I’ve learned that bearing fruit is a natural part of the life of a born-again believer (2 Corinthians 5:17). It’s a process that happens both within us and through us (Colossians 1:6). Joyfully, I’ve served God by ministering to the saints and reaching out to those who haven’t yet encountered Christ. For me, serving others is how we serve God in the world. However, the past six years in Liverpool have been some of the driest and least fruitful years of my Christian life—at least outwardly. Though I pastored a Brazilian church for over two years, I’ve struggled with a sense of limited impact. Since mid-2023, my family and I have felt called by God to transition into an English church to better understand the culture and language and to serve both English-speaking Christians and non-believers locally and globally. This transition has been challenging—a wilderness season where outward fruit seems scarce. Yet, amidst the desert, other forms of fruit have emerged, like a deeper understanding of the prophetic and learning to hear God’s voice.

Encounters with God: Moments of Guidance

In my discouragement, I turned to God, pouring out my heart in prayer. He met me with two specific words of encouragement. First, the Holy Spirit brought to mind a song written by Kelly Carpenter (1994) and popularized by Vineyard Music. Its English version ends with the lines: "Help me find the way / Bring me back to You." However, the Portuguese adaptation goes further, adding: "It doesn’t matter the circumstances, I will worship only You, Jesus." In that moment, the Holy Spirit reminded me: "No matter the circumstances, worship Jesus." Even amidst discouragement and uncertainty, I chose to worship, declaring that my devotion to Jesus isn’t dependent on my feelings or circumstances. Second, God spoke to me in an unexpected way—through a secular book titled Liverpool Beyond the Brink by Michael Parkinson. In the opening, Parkinson describes Liverpool as a city constantly shifting direction: "Just when you thought a path had been laid out, it changes direction all over again." The Holy Spirit used these words to assure me that Liverpool is a place of new beginnings—not just for the city, but also in my life and through my ministry. This confirmed previous prophetic words that God had brought me here for transformation, to prepare me for the new work He is about to do.

Hope and Vision: Looking Forward

God’s message gave me renewed clarity and purpose. I now understand that Liverpool is a "brink"—a place on the verge of something new. Through His grace and mercy, He has called me to participate in His work in this city and beyond. This confirmation shifted my perspective, replacing doubt with gratitude. Looking ahead, I’m reminded of my lifelong prayer: to see where God is working and to join Him in what He’s doing in my generation. While I may have questioned my journey at times, I now feel certain that I am where God wants me to be. Something new is coming—not just in my life, but for this city and its people.

Conclusion:

Today, I am filled with gratitude and a renewed sense of purpose. God is inviting each of us to join Him in His work. Will you open your heart to His calling and partner with Him in this generation? No matter where you are or what desert you face, He is working, and He is faithful to bring new life and fruitfulness in His time. Let us worship Him, trust Him, and follow Him as He leads us into the new things He has planned.