I hear you Daniel,
Jesus spoke a lot in parables. I don't think people go in the desert looking for Christ.
The desert is empty and barren and dry. There isn't much vibrant life in it.
The same would be if you joined a group of people that had no christian spirit in them.
It would be empty, barren (unfruitful) and dry (no life giving water/spirit in it) .
What I'm trying to say is, it's not an individual, it's more like an atmosphere.
I believe what Jesus is saying is, just because people point you in a direction that they say is the way..
doesn't make it so.
You can join a church that's deader than a door nail.
You can join a group that's bursting with life.
You have to test the spirits and those that align with Christ's spirit.
There is a verse:
Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
This is not Jesus in the flesh as a person, rather his spirit is amongst those who gather in his name.
He is with us in Spirit.
If someone tells you that Jesus is here or there, the only way you know is to test the spirits of the people that are there.
If it is unchristianlike, worldly, then you know you took the wrong turn.
Does this help?
Hugs