FLOURISH: EVEN IN THE DESERT

I have the incredible privilege of serving the women of the Church of God North Central Hispanic Region. Last year, as I sought the Lord for the theme of our 2025 Women’s Conference, He led me to one powerful word: Flourish—or in Spanish, Florece. I began to ask, “But what does it mean for a woman who loves God to truly flourish?”

In today’s culture, flourishing is often equated with having a successful career, a well-managed home, a vibrant social life, and emotional balance. But what happens when real life doesn’t match that picture? What if your current season feels more like a desert than a blooming garden?

God’s definition of flourishing is radically different from the world’s definition. In Isaiah 35, the Lord gives the prophet a vision of transformation—not in perfect places, but in dry, lifeless, barren lands. God promises that even the wilderness will rejoice, and the desert will burst into bloom.

“Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days.

The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses.

Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy!

The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon, as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon.

There the Lord will display his glory, the splendor of our God.”

— Isaiah 35:1–2 (NLT)

In Scripture, deserts often symbolize seasons of testing, waiting, and spiritual dryness. Maybe you’re walking through a wilderness season—carrying grief, facing uncertainty, feeling weary, or holding silent questions. Maybe you are faithfully serving others, yet feeling spiritually parched yourself. The promise of Isaiah 35 is this: you can flourish—even here. Why? Because God is present in the desert. And where He is, life begins to bloom.

The beauty of this passage lies in a powerful truth: It is God who causes the desert to bloom. The Scripture does not tell us to try harder, be stronger, or fix everything. Instead, it simply promises that where God displays His glory, transformation follows. Isaiah paints a picture of dramatic contrast—from barren wastelands to lush, fertile beauty like Lebanon, Carmel, and Sharon. This is not surface-level positivity—it is divine renewal.

So, what does it truly mean to flourish?

• To experience joy in the place of sorrow.

• To be strengthened in your weariness.

• To become fruitful in places you thought were done growing.

Let us reflect on three truths from Isaiah 35:1–2 that can help us redefine flourishing in today’s world:

1. Flourishing Can Happen in Dry Places: God doesn’t wait for ideal conditions. In fact, He often works most powerfully in the least “put-together” seasons of our lives. That means we don’t need to hide our deserts—we can bring them to Him.

Reflection Question:  What “dry place” in your life are you afraid to show God? Could that be the very place He wants to make flourish?

2. Flourishing Begins with Joy, Not Circumstance: Isaiah describes joy and singing erupting in the wasteland. It’s not that the situation instantly changes, but that joy becomes possible because God is there. Flourishing means rejoicing before the full bloom arrives.

Reflection Question: Can you choose joy today as an act of faith—even before the breakthrough?

3. Flourishing Displays God’s Glory: Flourishing isn’t just about our personal fulfillment—it’s about revealing God’s power and beauty. When others witness a woman blooming in barren places, they get a glimpse of God’s splendor.

Reflection Question: How might your testimony of flourishing in hard seasons reveal God’s glory to someone else?

Dear sister, you are not forgotten in the wilderness. Your dry places are not wasted. God sees you—and He is already at work. Just like the saffron flower pushes through hardened soil, your soul will bloom again. You are called to flourish—not only in gardens, but in deserts too.

Let us pray together: Lord, You are the God who makes deserts blossom and brings songs into silence. I bring You the barren places of my life—my disappointments, my delays, my doubts. Water them with Your presence. Let my soul bloom with joy, even in the waiting. Remind me that You are with me in the wilderness and that You are not finished with me yet. Make me flourish—not for my glory, but for Yours. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Sandy Artreche is a devoted wife, proud mother of three, and joyful grandmother to seven amazing grandchildren. She serves as the Women’s Ministries Director for the North Central Hispanic Region of the Church of God, where she passionately empowers and equips women in ministry. With a background in law and a heart for service, Sandy brings wisdom, compassion, and leadership to every space she enters. Her life is a testimony of faith in action, guided by grace and committed to building up others for God’s purpose.