Keith Battle - The Hiding Time - Part 1

I want to use the subject «The Hiding Time.» The hiding time, Luke 1:80, is a capsule or summation of Luke 3:1-4. In Luke chapter 3, verses 1 to 4, we find out what time it was when the word came to John in that wilderness. That word released him from preaching only in the wilderness, and he was to go from place to place; he would have an itinerant ministry. He would travel up and down both sides of the Jordan River, and all of Israel would know him. Then Luke 1:80 says he was growing up and growing strong in spirit in the wilderness until his public ministry began. But prior to his public ministry, he was in a place I call «Hiding Time.» He was in a hidden place, and I want to preach to some hidden treasures today. I want to preach to some people who know what it feels like to be in a place of obscurity, to feel hidden, to understand what it means to serve below where you desire to be. I long to be in this space, but I am serving in this space, and I feel underappreciated, undervalued. I feel like I have more to give, and when you’re in «Hiding Time,» it’s a struggle because your aspirations are at odds with your reality. Yes, I can’t wait to say, «I can’t wait to be king! I can’t wait to quit this job and start my own business. I can’t wait to get this promotion. I’m ready for more money, more responsibility, more notoriety, and more authority!» I’m tired of being the backup; I’m tired of coming off the bench. I’m ready to start! I’m ready to lead; I’m tired of singing background vocals. I could lead that song; I led that song at Fifth Baptist, and I tore the church up when I sang it. I just want a shot—I don’t want to be second keys! I don’t want to be second fiddle! I want to lead; I want to conduct; I want to direct! I don’t want to be the deputy director. I appreciate getting there, but I’ve been a deputy director for nine years now. There are so many incompetencies in the director! If I ever had a chance to lead this department, to run this organization and division, all things would be different. Does anybody know what that feels like? I know it’s something we can’t talk about in church because it seems self-serving and self-centered. But has anyone ever had an itch to do more? Like, «I feel like I’m serving, but nobody notices. There are no lights on me. I never go viral; I don’t have a lot of followers. I’m not getting much attention. I’m being faithful, but I’m not seen. I’m tired of playing JV; I’m ready to play varsity! I don’t want to play intramural anymore. I want to go to the next level.» Does anybody know what that feels like? Even though the text doesn’t say that John was at odds with his situation in the wilderness, it doesn’t state he was discontent there. It doesn’t claim he was frustrated and wanted to escape the wilderness to preach in Galilee and in the synagogues in Damascus. It never says that. We don’t know, but I do know this: Some people want the light and want to come from the background to the forefront, while others prefer being in the background and don’t want the spotlight; they prefer to be unseen. Here’s what I’m saying: Not one person is better than the other. The person who doesn’t want to be in the light is no better than the person who wants to be in it. God will keep you hidden and then thrust you into the light, whether you want it or not—the wilderness and the light, privacy and publicity. You’re hidden, then you go public; that’s just the cycle. It cycles throughout your life—you go from one level to another. Sometimes, you weren’t even asking for it, but your faithfulness on one level prepares you for the next. Whether you wanted more exposure or not, it came with the promotion. That’s how it works. What I’m hoping to do is make sense of the Hiding Time, to make sense of the wilderness, so that we are not fighting against it but can value what it intends to provide for us. One of the things Luke 1:80 says is that John was growing up in that wilderness. One reason God has us in the wilderness is that it’s time for us to grow up. I know you’ve grown, but you haven’t grown up! You’re growing old, but I mean you need to grow up! You know there’s a difference between growing old and growing up! You’re still grumpy; you’re still cantankerous; you’re still gossiping. You still have attitude problems; you still put your mouth on things you shouldn’t, and you still have addictions. Are y’all hearing me?