Although I am fortunate to be surrounded by so many people who love me, I can often feel like I am in a wilderness. When I think of the word wilderness, I think of it in a sense that there is always an area in my life that needs to be cultivated. God is always at work in my life tending to an area that has been left to grow wildly. An area of my life that has been abandon or neglected. As a result, I know that there are some moments God has me go through alone. In the end He always gives me a message to share with others after I have spent the time in the wilderness of growth.

The same can be said for John the Baptist as well as for you. We learn about John’s wilderness and ministry introduction in Luke 3: 1-9,

1 It was now the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius, the Roman emperor. Pontius Pilate was governor over Judea; Herod Antipas was ruler over Galilee; his brother Philip was ruler over Iturea and Traconitis; Lysanias was ruler over Abilene. 2 Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests. At this time a message from God came to John son of Zechariah, who was living in the wilderness. 3 Then John went from place to place on both sides of the Jordan River, preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. 4 Isaiah had spoken of John when he said,“He is a voice shouting in the wilderness,‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him! 5 The valleys will be filled, and the mountains and hills made level.The curves will be straightened ,and the rough places made smooth. 6 And then all people will seethe salvation sent from God.’” 7 When the crowds came to John for baptism, he said, “You brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? 8 Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. 9 Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.”

What I have learned from this passage:

1. God will allow us to be in a wilderness to develop our calling.
2. When God gives us a message, go and share that message to all. When I think of that Jordan River I think of a divider. I think of Joshua and the Israelites having to walk through the the Jordan to get to the promise land that would soon be theirs. I think of something that is between where we are and where we have to go. Sharing the message of God, sometimes requires us to go to and through places that only God can take credit for us getting through to the other side.
3. Our message should be God’s message.
4. Our lives should reflect a life of repentance and forgiveness. I life in right relationship with Christ.
5. Those who are not in relationship with God through Christ but are instead attempting to follow tradition or the law apart from the Spirit will suffer damnation.

Question

Do you ever feel like you are in the wilderness? Do you know why?

What message has God given you?

Verses 4-6, area quotation from Isaiah 40:3-5. I understand the context and history but there is something practical that is not connecting for me. Do you know what it could possibly be?