Lessons Learned in Hoodoo Land

Ever heard of a hoodoo? I hadn’t either until I traveled to Arizona.

A hoodoo is a tall, thin spire of rock that protrudes from the bottom of an arid drainage basin or badland. Hoodoos consist of relatively soft rock topped by harder, less easily eroded stone that protects each column from the elements. Wikipedia

Hoodoos are mainly located in dry, hot desert areas. And boy is it dry out there in hoodoo land!  After climbing, hiking and rafting, I was dying of thirst, not to mention the toll on my skin and hair.

It got pretty ugly.

Nevertheless, the hoodoos helped me recognize a couple things: first, my physical need for water, juxtaposed to my spiritual need for God revealed just how often I allow the needs of my flesh to trump the needs of my spirit. Second, despite the hoodoos strong outer shell, they’re really quite fragile underneath, reminding me that God’s power is best evidenced through my weakness, no matter how uncomfortable that is for me.

If this is true, the first thing I need to do is notice that I need refreshment.

 

Consider Psalm 63:1:

“O God, thou art my God; I shall seek thee earnestly; my soul thirsts for thee, my flesh yearns for thee, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”

 

This verse draws a word picture using a principle we can all relate to. Our physical need for water creates a drive state that compels us to seek after something that sustains life for our outer man.

Similarly, the Psalmist’s language suggests a longing for, and a languishing after the presence of God because it sustains the inner man.  Our yearning for God shows our need of him, our dependence upon him and our confidence that he alone can fill us.

My flesh depends on water for life; I wouldn’t consider going a day without it. Therefore, I must be equally intentional to give myself to that which will satiate my inner life---- connection to God.

 

Power Perfected in Weakness

 

Hoodoos appear incredibly strong, but they’re deceptive. I was told they consist of soft limestone rock, covered by a harder rock shell, which helps make them less prone to damage and erosion.

This reminded me that the hard exterior I often project to protect my heart from the erosion caused by life’s hurt and pain, often keeps me from appropriating the power of God available to me.

God designed the hoodoos to contain a strong durable rock surface to protect them; likewise, he’s equipped us with something stronger than even the hoodoos possess ----the Holy Spirit. Through the mighty working of his power within us, God has equipped us in our weakness to demonstrate his strength.

If that’s true, we can stop pretending we have it all together and start depending on him.

 

Consider this:

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…” Ephesians 4:20

Hoodoos may consist of soft rock, but their strong outer covering is what has allowed them to survive wind, water and elements for millions of years. And so it is with our inner life; we may feel weak and fragile like the soft porous rock of the hoodoos. But the strength and power of God dwells within us.  We need only to access it.

 

Here are few suggestions to begin:

• Notice the condition of your heart daily.
• Recognize spiritual dehydration. Satiate yourself with spiritual food (the word) and living water.
• Practice the spiritual disciplines. Especially silence and solitude.
• Memorize Scripture. This will strengthen your inner man.
• Find a lovely place.  These astounding rock formations in the desert

reminded me of the majesty of God’s creation. Find a lovely place to be with God and praise him for all he has created.

 

The hoodoos challenged me to look inside because I was being affected outside. Commit today to consistently check the pulse on the needs of your inner man. Then, unlike the hoodoos, you’ll be able to stand against anything the elements throw at you.