“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17b
It’s interesting to note, that before Jesus began his ministry, he was led into the wilderness. You would think, after reading how the heavens opened and a dove, representing the Holy Spirit, descending upon Him and hearing the Father say, “This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased” [Matthew 3:17] dynamic, high volume tent crusades would follow, but that’s not what happened. Instead of hitting the road as an instant full time evangelist with an enormous following, He was led into the lonely, isolation of the wilderness.
It's important to understand that before Jesus would take this world by storm. He was about to transform twelve average men into powerhouse ministers, who would ultimately turn the world upside down. He would heal the sick, blind and lame, caste out demons and free all mankind from the cruel reign of sin. By subjecting His body to the rigorous conditions of the wilderness terrain and fasting forty days and nights, Jesus committed himself to the art of discipline, thus drawing a line in the sand in an outward confession that the ministry He would start, He would finish. He made his position known and His mind was made up, nothing Satan could do or would offer could ever deter or distract Him from His mission.
Today, we’re faced with a whirlwind of a challenge. While some ministers move forward in their calling, some leave the ministry disgruntled and confused, but the mission is still very much before us. While the population multiplies and cultures change, our mission grows more evident and clear. We’re called and commissioned to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. We are to teach the Word, as Jesus taught. So why then are so many falling away? The answer is complex yet simple; many are losing their determination to finish what was started.
Perhaps you’ve lost focus of the task God has given you. The enemy, like a tornado, has blown in and destroyed all that you’ve built and labored for. You feel buried under the rubble, left with nothing but the debris of failed attempts and shattered dreams. Go back to the wilderness! Go back to when God first validated you, when His Spirit first rested upon you and you knew without a doubt you were called to greatness.
Oh how His passion fueled your ambitions and motivated you to look beyond the puzzled faces that stared in disbelief. When you breezed past the doubters that questioned how God could use someone like you. Remember? Remember when His anointing showered you, filling you until your cup spilled over into the hearts and lives of all who were around you? It started in the wilderness, where you drew the line in the sand and committed yourself to a life of discipline; determining within yourself that this was the point of no return, you wouldn’t leave like you entered; you wouldn’t come out the same. Return to the wilderness, the place where you got alone with God and engaged in hand to hand combat with Satan and made your position known. It’s time! It’s time to finish what you’ve started!
