In the deserts until...

Do we feel that we're in a dry and isolated place where we're unknown, unrecognized, and our talents or unique achievements have not yet been revealed?

How can we handle it?

Consider the following --

Even though John the Baptist lived under the words of Old Testament prophets Isaiah 40:3-8; Malachi 3:1 and his father's prophecy about him, Luke 1:62-66, 76-79 John was still in the deserts until his showing to Israel.

Now the child [John] grew and was becoming strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel. Luke 1:80

When he did start his ministry, John was a voice crying in the wilderness to make the paths straight for the Lord Jesus Christ. John 1:23

Gabriel, an angel of the Lord, Luke 1:11-13, 19 said this to John's father about John --

"You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice over his [John] birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God. And it is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers back to their children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." Luke 1:14-17

Jesus spoke of John that he was a prophet and more than a prophet. Matthew 11:7-11

Have you done something that you believe is worthy to share with the world?

Are you working on a project that you also hope will make a positive difference?

What happens if the time to show this to others is not yet or won't be for a long time?

Think about our lives for a minute.

So much is repetitive, isn't it?

Activities that revolve around work or school occupy so much time.

We may think, "All of the chores, working, studying, traveling; it's the same old stuff, day after day. When can my true value be appreciated?"

James wrote, Some of you say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to some city. We will stay there a year, do business, and make money." But you do not know what will happen tomorrow! Your life is like a mist. You can see it for a short time, but then it goes away. James 4:13-14

John the Baptist can be a good example for us.

John was in the deserts alone Luke 1:80 eating locusts and wild honey Matthew 3:4 UNTIL the word of the Lord came to him. Luke 3:2-6

He preached the baptism of repentance for the erasing of sins. Luke 3:3

Jesus said that the Law of Moses and the prophets were until John. Then with John, the kingdom of God was preached. Luke 16:16

But John had to WAIT in the wilderness until his time came when the word of the Lord was given to him. Luke 3:2

We may have a word from the Lord to give to people.

But we also need to wait on Him for the right time to reveal this through us.

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. 1 Peter 5:6

Something else to think about --

What if your talent or special achievement is NEVER shown in this life?

In other words, you stay in the deserts, the wilderness, until you're absent from your body and present with the Lord 2 Corinthians 5:8 or the Lord comes. 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18

Or God the Father waits until some distant time in the ages to come when He is showing the boundless riches of His grace in kindness toward His children through the Lord Jesus Christ Ephesians 2:7 to say,

"Now is the time for what I've given you to be shared with others."

Can we wait that long?

The Father is longsuffering toward humanity, NOT willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance and salvation through Jesus. Luke 24:44-47; Romans 3:21-26; 2 Peter 3:9

Peter also wrote, But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. 2 Peter 3:8

If we trust John 3:16 that promises our salvation, let's trust Him to have the perfect time for His gift in us to have a place for its manifestation. Proverbs 18:16

Wait for the Lord;

Be strong and let your heart take courage;

Yes, wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14

Your thoughts?

R. Jason