How to get to the next level. And stay there.
Jesus’ public ministry began with private testing. So will ours.
Immediately after being baptized by John and validated by God, the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness to be tried by Satan.
Mark says, “He was in the wilderness forty days, enduring temptations from Satan. He was with wild animals, and angels were ministering to his needs.”
Not pleasant, but necessary.
When writing about the wilderness, Steven Pressfield asked the question:
Why do we (so often) need an All Is Lost Moment in our own lives to break through to another level? Can’t we just do it at a happy time? Do we have to push ourselves to the absolute abyss in order for real change to sink in? I hate to say it, but that seems to be true.”
I agree.
While we might read how-to books and hone our talent or hire a coach to sharpen our skill, we need the wilderness to deepen our character.
And character is what sustains next-level success.
But because we are rewarded more for our persona than our character, we can leverage our talent to bypass the wilderness.
After getting a sweet taste of our gifts, fans hoist us on their adoring shoulders. Carrying widely around the wilderness, straight to the stage.
In the meantime Satan, wild animals, and the darkness keep checking their watches, waiting for their appointment to show. Like a jilted lover sitting alone at a white cloth establishment, they wait in vain. We’ve stood them up.
But Satan’s not the only one we’ve jilted. The Spirit was there also. Waiting to give wilderness gifts. Patience, faith, humility, gratitude, spiritual authority
It’s no wonder the wilderness avoider doesn’t stay at the next-level very long.
And any next-level that can’t be sustained is not one worth reaching.
Best to hold off on that next level until the wilderness says we’re ready.