To be commanded to love God at all, let alone in the wilderness, is like being commanded to be well when we are sick, to sing for joy when we are dying of thirst, to run when our legs are broken. But this is the first and great commandment nonetheless. Even in the wilderness - especially in the wilderness - you shall love him.
This quote vividly captures the paradoxical nature of love and faith, especially in challenging circumstances. When we consider the command to love God, it often seems intuitively straightforward in times of comfort and ease, but becomes infinitely more complex in moments of hardship, suffering, and isolation—metaphorically represented as the wilderness. The wilderness is often a place of testing, solitude, and confrontation with our deepest vulnerabilities. In such setting, the call to love becomes a radical act, demanding the resilience to choose compassion and trust amid pain and desperation. The analogy of being told to be well while sick and to sing joyfully while dying of thirst encapsulates the counterintuitive nature of divine commandments; they challenge our instincts to withdraw or focus solely on our suffering. Loving God amid struggle is not only an act of obedience but also a profound act of faith—trusting that within suffering, there is growth, purpose, or divine presence. These words serve as a reminder that true love, especially divine love, is unconditional and persistent, transcending circumstances. In the wilderness, love becomes a matter of will, choosing goodness in the face of adversity, recognizing that true devotion often emerges most powerfully in our moments of greatest need. This perspective encourages believers to embrace their trials as opportunities for a deeper, more authentic relationship with the divine, knowing that the commandments are meant to guide us through every aspect of life, including its most barren and difficult terrains.
