“Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness” (Luke 3:2-3; KJV). John the Baptist lived in the desert until he was physically and spiritually mature (Luke 1:8) and only then did he start his ministry.

God has times and seasons for all of our lives (Eccl 3:1; Acts 1:7). He has a plan for all of our lives (Jer 29:11). We need to spend time with God to know his plan and discern the seasons he has for us.

We need to guard against trying to help God out by having our own timelines and ideas as to how things should be done. Abraham and Sarah got impatient waiting for a son and decided to get a son by Hagar, Sarah’s maid. This only created trouble and anxiety for them but God’s miracle planning gave them the son of his choice and allowed God to establish the lineage for our saviour, Jesus (Gen 16 and 21).

Jesus was in ministry for just 3 years, starting when he was about 30 (Luke 3:23). Paul was a highly trained Jewish Pharisee and persecuted the church of Jesus until God’s season for him (Acts 9). Paul’s entry into ministry was dramatic as he met with Jesus on the road to Damascus.

Would anyone question the impact of Jesus and Paul? It seems almost inconceivable to us that either of these two men above could or would have tried to do things by their own calendar.

We are not all called to full time ministry but we are all minsters of the gospel and God has plans for all of our lives. We need to be sure we hear from God and don’t run ahead, lag behind or get distracted. Flowing in God’s plan, timing and seasons brings peace and fulfillment. We need to hear from God and walk in trust and patience.

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