Matthew3:1 In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, NLT
Anytime I read about the John Baptist, his short but impactful life is a great challenge to me. He was an uncommon person because of what he ate( locust and wild honey) and wore(Matt3:4). He had an uncommon assignment that has no dignity when viewed from human perspective. He was an announcer. Just imagine that your major assignment in life is to announce the coming of a great man. You may not like it but that was God's perfect will for John. Another striking thing about his life was that he remained in the place of his primary assignment- wilderness. He could have chosen to do his ministry in the G.R.A.of Judea or in Jerusalem estate, he remained where God placed him and God announced him to his world from there. If he had gone to Samaria, we may not be talking about him today.
No normal person would want to locate his ministry or office in a wilderness where animals are but because John had a sense of purpose and the location of its fulfillment, he stayed there. In Mark1:5, we were told that: "The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River." His impact was so great to the extent that people went to meet him in the wilderness. Speaking about him in John5:35, Jesus said: "John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light."(NIV). If God places you in the forest, if you can be patient with him, he'll build you a city right inside the forest. There is a place for your assignment in life, I mean location.
There are so many people doing the right thing in the wrong place while some are doing the wrong thing in the right place. In your quest to fulfilling God's purpose for your life, you must discover your assignment and the location for that assignment. No matter how bad the wilderness was, John the Baptist got his favorite meal there. There comes a time in life where you'll be tempted to go to where everyone is going to. Just as it was in the days of Isaac when people migrated to Egypt, God instructed him to stay in Gerar(Gen26:1-2). Do not be deceived by the sweet promises of Egypt, your assignment and gold mine may be in Gerar. Just ask God for direction.
Father, I shall not miss my place of primary assignment in Jesus name.
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