What is the Desert teaching you in 2026

When we step into a new year, we all start off in great confidence on healthy ideals and great gumption for doing it better than the last but unfortunately those thoughts peter out until we slot into what we really do have intention for.

I saw it shared at the beginning of this year that whatever the number one hit movie was in the year you were born would be how your 2026 would play out!  This then took my interest, so I decided to look up the No. 1 movie for the year I was born (here in Australia) and it was ‘Lawrence of Arabia’.  Well, you can imagine how my thought process started churning on this one!

The following were googled suggestion of themes from that movie so I thought I would add my reply to each of those and see where God leads.

Identity & Duality: Lawrence struggles to reconcile his Britishness with his adoption of Arab ways, leading to inner turmoil and a fragmented sense of self.

My Identity In Christ Jesus

I have been brought up on the word of God from a young child but I know I needed to discover Jesus for myself and although there have been many ups and downs along the way I can categorically ascertain that I have definitely come to terms with who Jesus Christ is for me and why I know that.  Like Job ‘I know that my redeemer^[a] lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.’ – Job 19:25 NIV

At one stage when I was feeling very down, I was asked to house sit a missionary couples home for a period of time and in the process of being there on my own (my husband took over at our home, sorting our children and getting them to school etc) I was confronted with a very compassionate Jesus who stepped into my personal space in a very tangible and real way that I cannot begin to share in words what that meant to me.  It will be forever etched in me, knowing that He cares for my circumstances as well as my heart, especially, as I gave it to Him at the age of 10 😊

Imperialism vs. Liberation: The film critiques British imperialism and the manipulation of Arab nationalism, showing how noble goals can become entangled with political expediency and exploitation.

Jesus Christ has (Liberated) set me free!

As mentioned above, I gave my life to Christ at the age of 10 but as for Lawrence in the movie, over the years I too have had to make hard choices when ‘noble goals’ (I thought) became ‘entangled’ in similar exploitation and circumstances.  Jesus was always there waiting for me in the midst of it and once laying down what I thought was important, He then stepped in and opened other doors for His plan and purpose to show through.

One such choice (and there were many) was going on a missions trip in 2008 to a country in the midst of civil war and by doing that, God then opened up another door the following year for ministry (from the other side of the world) given to us to run that then blessed so many in the local community. Amazing!

Myth vs. Reality: Lawrence transforms from an eccentric officer into a legendary figure, but the film questions whether he's a true hero or a creation of media and his own ego, exposing the harshness beneath the myth.

Jesus is not a myth but very real

In our journey we set our stride to those things God puts in our hands to do for His kingdom and in the process, we create not only relationships built on trust and camaraderie, but a strong value of what others then look to us for.

Same as Jesus did in his 33yrs of ministry before he was nailed to a cross.  We hear more and more now of how archaeologists are discovering writings, hieroglyphs and more, that prove that Jesus was real and all that the Bible has been telling us over the centuries is true!

I want to be remembered by others when I am no longer here, that I represented my Lord Jesus Christ well – ‘Follow God’s example in everything you do just as a much-loved child imitates his father. ² Be full of love for others, following the example of Christ…’ – Ephesians 5:1-2 TLB

War & Violence: It portrays the psychological toll of war, highlighting how heroism and brutality often intertwine, with Lawrence becoming both a liberator and a participant in massacres.

You will continually hear of wars and rumours of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end [of the age]. ⁷ For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. – Matthew 24:6-7 AMP

There have been many wars over the centuries, and countless lives lost because of it.  An even more heart breaking thing is that many wars were fort (I think in misguided ignorance) for God and the Church!

Crusades (Holy wars) in 1095 initiated by Pope Urban II, at least eight major ones between 1096 & 1270CE

Albigensian Crusade 1209 – 1229

Northern Crusades 12^th – 15^th centuries

Reconquista ending 1492

Hussite Wars 1419 c 1434

European Wars of Religion 16^th to early 18^th centuries

The Taiping Rebellion 1850-1864 (20-30 million deaths)

Puritan Conquest of New England in 17^th century

Although that list is just a quick overview of ‘Holy Wars’, we know that there have been many others over time fighting for Kings, Kingdoms and others usurping their authority.  Like Lawrence of Arabia fighting in the First World War (The Arab Revolt in 1916-1918 & The Sinai & Palestine Campaign).

The bible encourages us to ‘love our enemies’ – Matthew 5:44 KJV, do good to others and ‘turn the other cheek’ – Matthew 5:39 KJV.  How then do we process facing others to do them harm?

Even when the roman soldiers came to arrest Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane and Simon Peter trying to stop them cuts off the ear of Malchus, the servant of the high priest – Jesus then reattaches and heals it, saying to Peter ‘put the sword (back) in its sheath!  Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given me? – John 18:11 AMP

The Desert as Character: The vast, beautiful, and unforgiving desert landscape mirrors Lawrence's internal struggle, symbolizing freedom, isolation, and the harsh reality of the region. 

Desert Living

Jesus was led by the [Holy] Spirit into the wilderness … – Matthew 4:1-11 AMP

Not only did Jesus know He was to spend time away in the desert, being led there by the Holy Spirit, but this time away was also what set Him up to start His Ministry for the next three years.  In Hebrew, the number three (Shelosh/Sheloshah) symbolizes completeness, divine perfection, harmony and new life.  And we know that Jesus three years in ministry was all that and more.

Once Jesus was depleted physically, having fasted for 40 days, that’s when Satan came and tempted Him.  Each time Satan encourages Jesus to fail, Jesus then combats Satan with scripture, the word of God/Bible, to destroy his argument.  He was able to wield His sword well!

·       Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God – Deuteronomy 8:3

·       Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God – Deuteronomy 6:16

·       Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve – Deuteronomy 6:13

I heard it shared just last night by our senior pastor on this same passage that he believes Jesus was possibly entertained by an angel of light for these temptations and Jesus was probably puzzled by these first two requests from him, but He knew in his heart what the scriptures said so responded as He did.  It was on the third attempt that Jesus knew the visitor was Satan because his request of Jesus was against the word/scripture, so He says, “Go away, Satan! For it is written and forever remains written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’”

*****

I recall a time when visiting a minister in his home, years ago, and chatting normally, (over some very upsetting circumstances) thinking this was a pleasant afternoon but at the point the minister asked me something that cut across the word of God I straight away knew this was wrong.  I quoted from scripture, saying how that was wrong and very quickly, kindly extracted myself from their home.  I remember the disappointment of what had happened and how the enemy uses people too!

Can you imagine what would/should have happened if it was mandatory for all those on each side of the ‘Holy Wars’, if they had done a 40 day fast and prayer time like Jesus!  I’m pretty sure there would have been a different outcome!  So, let’s say that for all the nonsense going on today around the world – if they all took a 40-day break on both sides to fast and pray before all getting their ‘hair in a tizz’, today’s events too would/could be totally different!

Once Satan left Jesus, the word says in Matthew 4:11 (in different versions) that Angels then came to care for, minister to Him and bring Him food.  I love that when we are in any kind of need, our Heavenly Father finds ways to love and support us in the best ways.  I know he has done that for me over the years and I feel so blessed.

If you have ever watched the movie Lawrence of Arabia, he becomes very acclimatized to his desert surroundings over the course of the movie and becomes comfortable with where he has been allotted for his army role.  It’s also very clear that not all his fellow officers are as happy with him being comfortable because he is now displaying an outward appearance of not conforming.

Jesus came out of his desert experience, striking up friendships with others to bring them along on the journey with him – yes picking his disciples.  I think if we were to spend quality time with the Lord in a ‘desert’, we too should come out the other side showing ourselves to be more like him. 

Who then will we align ourselves with for this season?

What is the Lord asking of us to be strong and resilient in for the journey ahead?

My expectation of how my 2026 will play out

Not because of a movie but because my God is Lord of my life and King of Kings.  I believe that by setting my heart ‘like flint’ towards Him, He will guide me on the best path forward!

 Because the Lord God helps me, I will not be dismayed; therefore, I have set my face like flint to do his will, and I know that I will triumph. – Isaiah 50:7 TLB

Jesus always focused on plan and purpose, even as a 12-year-old when left behind at the temple he told his parents he should be about his father’s business. So, should we be focused on our plan and purpose that God has for us in this season of 2026?

Towards the end of 2025, the Lord set it on my heart to gather other ladies and have us all read a book over Christmas called ‘The Journey’ by Billy Graham.  Starting in the first week of February this year there will be 5 of us coming together in person and another 7 doing it together, another night on zoom for six consecutive weeks – discussing this book on ‘Leaving a Legacy’.  I am very excited because already I am hearing confirmations of God saying things I am reading, through others sharing and I know that my Heavenly Father is orchestrating these things for our good!

I have also committed to help my daughter ‘home school’ her two youngest children this year so I am also pushing my limitations on new adventures that I have never done before!

As the world screams anarchy around us, we need to stay vigilant and focused on the call he has for us individually and not waver from it.

"Lord, I pray I would have the discipline I need to set my mind on heavenly

 things—to have an eternal focus and not be depleted or scattered by

 worldly concerns. Please fill me so fully (every day) with Yourself

that the earth loses its appeal and I have a longing

 in my heart for my home in heaven with You.

In Jesus' name I pray.

 Amen." 

By Stormie Omartian