Contemplative Bible Reading

Luke 1:80 (New Living Translation)

John grew up and became strong in spirit. And he lived in the wilderness until he began his public ministry to Israel.

John (the Baptist) was born the son of a Priest of the tribe of Levi. His father was a Priest. John was to be a Priest.

We find John living “in the wilderness.” Harvard? Yale? Oxford? (Name your favorite favored and fancy place.) No. The wilderness.

How disappointed were his parents? How disappointed were his friends? What did everyone think of him?

Then the second part of the sentence, “…until he began his public ministry to Israel.” Oh, so this living in the wilderness led to a public ministry of service and preaching. John learned something or other while in the wilderness that helped prepare him for ministry.

We can take this “time in the wilderness” too far, and many in ministry have taken it too far and often say things like, “Well, when I worked at such-and-such church that was my time in the wilderness” as if the people in THAT place were wild and wooly and undeserving of the person’s brilliance.

Notice the positive: John grew while in the wilderness. He took advantage of the opportunity presented by the wilderness. Tough times taught lessons, and John listened.

Me? Am I in the wilderness or in retirement? Is retirement my wilderness? What does God send me today? Am I learning and growing from God’s lessons and blessings today? There are alternatives. God, help me in my unbelief and my choices.