The Middle of Nowhere

Have you ever been there – in the middle of nowhere? Maybe not exactly lost. But certainly in unfamiliar and, more than likely, uncomfortable surroundings. The way forward, if you can see it at all, is fraught with uncertainty.

In my journeys, I’ve been there, standing on the corner at the intersection of Where to Go? Avenue and How to Get There? Street. Just the thought of this phrase triggers one specific memory that begins to rerun on the screen of my mind. Many, many years ago, I began a backpacking trek with two guys in Washington’s North Cascades National Park.

The North Cascades is a remote, undeveloped area of majestic, glacially-carved alpine peaks fiercely guarded by dense forests of evergreens. We began our trip to an interior alpine lake on a trail of sorts, which lasted less than a mile. After that, it was bushwacking through the undergrowth guided by a topographic map and a compass. Oh, and did I mention it was drizzling rain?

We had been hiking for about an hour or a bit longer when we stopped to take a break. There was no noise except for the splat of raindrops striking leaves, our packs, and whatever else impeded their rendezvous with the ground. Surrounding us were moisture-darkened tree trunks and glistening green vegetation. With eerie unease, I noticed the view was exactly the same whether I looked in front of us, left, right, or behind us. I could not see the slightest evidence of the way we’d come. That’s right:  we’d left no trace getting to “the middle of nowhere.”

In the Old Testament, anointed but uncrowned David made a number of trips to this dubious destination, including these few below:

The cave of Adullam (1 Samuel 22:1),

The forest of Hereth (1 Samuel 22:5),

The wilderness and hill country of Ziph (1 Samuel 23:14).

It is worth noting that none of these jaunts were leisurely Sunday afternoon strolls for the future king. Each was made under considerable duress: David was running for his life. Even though all of these places would probably have been on David’s list of “the middle of nowhere,” he did not feel abandoned by God, as shown by a number of Psalms he authored.

Though I am surrounded by troubles,
you will protect me from the anger of my enemies.
You reach out your hand,
and the power of your right hand saves me.

– Psalm 138:7 (New Living Translation)

I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the grave, you are there.
If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
even there your hand will guide me,
and your strength will support me.

– Psalm 139:7-10 (New Living Translation)

And just as God was with David in all of these unfamiliar, uncomfortable, uncertain spots, God is with me in all of my “nowheres.”