Written by Dennis Lacheney | 07 May 2010

Christianity can be an interesting venture. When you first become a believer, everything seems to just "work" for you. Prayers are quickly answered, people you share the gospel with are inspired, everything you touch seems to have the favor of God on it. Then somewhere along the way this blissful beginning comes to an end. Struggle begins, conflict arises, and even hearing the voice of God seems impossible. Many might wonder what they have done wrong, to create this feeling of resistance and rejection. What they may not realize is that they aren't being ignored, rather, promoted.
When Jesus began His ministry it was a glorious event. The Gospel of Mark paints a picture of His water baptism that not even Hollywood could rival. When Jesus comes out of the water, the heavens open, the Spirit of God descends like a dove, and the booming voice of the Lord declares, "My Son! In whom I am well pleased!" (Mark 1:9-11) What a great feeling of emotion that must have created for all those who were watching. We cannot be positive of how Christ's humanity might have been impacted by this moment, but we have to admit that any of us would have been on a spiritual high. What could be more satisfying than to hear the Father say that He is please with us? What would we expect our next assignment to be?

Sometimes promotion in the Kingdom of God is not what God does through you, rather it is what God does to you. Right after this glorious happening, Jesus is immediately driven into the wilderness. (Mark 1:12) It might not make much sense to the natural mind, but if you have spent any time in the Kingdom you know this repeated pattern. The Christian walk is not only about mountaintop experiences because some of the greatest growth occurs in the wilderness. In our minds, we believe that bringing pleasure to the Father should equate to some level of blessing or favor. However, God's number one goal for us is not personal happiness, rather, Christ-likeness. When God promotes, He does so by revealing a new part of His nature to us, helping us to look more like Him, and less like us. Blessing can be part of that process, but is not guaranteed by any means.The good news is that although there might be struggle in promotion, He gives us the grace to endure and pass the test.

Consider 1 Peter 5:5-10: