Luke Chapter 1: Verse 80 (NLT Translation)
John grew up and became strong in spirit. And he lived in the wilderness until he began his public ministry to Israel.
God’s plan for John was prophesied by his father when John was just eight days old. However, he would be about thirty years old before he began to fulfil that prophesy. Up until then he lived in obscurity, in fact once he was old enough, in the wilderness. But throughout these years he grew strong in spirit. God was preparing John for the ministry he’d been called to.
We may be certain that God has called us into a particular role, but it may not open up for us straight away; in fact there might be times where we think we’ve got things wrong, or even that God has changed His mind or forgotten – except we know that He can do neither! He prepares us for what He has called us into and sometimes that takes time. And in the fulness of time He will send us out into the world to do what He has called us to – in His strength and by His Spirit.
Dear Lord,
I realise how impatient I can be, but I need to remember that waiting in what can sometimes seem like a wilderness experience can sometimes be part of Your plan. Help me to learn how to wait when You tell me to. I pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.