“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’” – Acts 13:2
Many years earlier, Saul of Tarsus (whom we call the Apostle Paul) had dramatically encountered the resurrected Jesus on the Damascus Road and been converted to Christianity. At that time, he learned that his purpose in life was to preach Christ to Jews, Gentiles, and kings. However, after an initial flurry of activity, more than a decade passed in relative obscurity.
Finally, the time was right and the Holy Spirit launched Barnabas and Saul on the first of several mission trips. These would spread the gospel and plant vibrant churches in many places.
In today’s no-wait immediate-gratification culture, it’s hard to accept that God often patiently works His plans over many years or that He might call someone into service, but make that person quietly prepare for more than a decade before activating him or her. Nonetheless we see that pattern several times in the Bible. Preparation and patience matter if we want to fulfill God’s calling upon our lives.
If we’re impatient for “something bigger”, we must learn to be patient and move on God’s schedule rather than our own, seeking to understand His big picture understanding rather than our short-sighted view of things. God may well call us to an extended season of preparation: learning, reflecting, maturing, practicing, and increasing in holiness before launching us into the primary ministry which we know in our bones is waiting for us.
This isn’t an excuse for inaction, but to learn to truly walk in step with the Holy Spirit, neither running ahead of Him in eagerness and self-confidence, nor lagging behind Him in fear or comfort.