Divine connections, God-ordained meetings are not a happenstance. The interactions that lead us to fulfill our God-ordained purpose are heaven-choreographed.

Luke 1:41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Way before Jesus and John the Baptist met, there seemed to be have been a connection – right in their mothers’ wombs – their Purposes were intertwined.

God knows the Purpose for which He created us, and will by His divine hand lead us to fulfill that purpose. Our role in the equation, is to learn to hear His voice, follow His leading, and then walk in obedience.

Matthew 3:11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”

We must, as we strive to fulfill Purpose, understand our role and walk in it; while appreciating our limitations – even as we make way for others to do that which we are NOT called to do.

Matthew 3:13-14 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”

As we find our Purpose, we will need people who will discern what is inside of us, have the ability to call it out (even in our moment of doubt and unbelief), and then be selfless enough to make way for us…to step ahead…into Purpose. Then again, there’s the balancing act of us having an honoring relationship that recognizes that though we might, in some instances, carry greater destinies than our forerunners, yet we need the shoulders of these ones to propel us into our place of destiny. There clearly was mutual respect and understanding between Jesus and John the Baptist.

So the stage is set, the announcement has been made. You know for sure what you have been called to do. It’s all systems go, right? No… Pause… not just yet.

Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.

You will, after your announcement, be led into moments of aloneness, the place of wilderness, the place of testing. It’s an oxymoron. It looks nothing like the announcement. It looks nothing like the prophecy. But you’ve come too far to go back…you hang in there…totally unsure of what the future looks like. You remain still – not because you understand stillness, but because there’s only so much you can do. Then you miraculously pass the test. The lights go on… it’s time for you to step forward and do your thing.

Matthew 4:12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee.

But for you to step into your Purpose, it might call for you to disconnect from your forerunner. John the Baptist’s role in the movie of Jesus’ life was drawing to a close. And Jesus understood it. Their paths had crossed, John’s purpose in his life had been fulfilled, and He needed to continue with his journey. He went to Galilee and began to teach the good news of the Kingdom.

Matthew 11:2 When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”

Maybe John’s imprisonment cast a shadow of doubt about the glorious purpose of his assignment; maybe he could not comprehend that the purpose of his path intertwining with Jesus’ path was over; or maybe he was curious to know that he had fulfilled his purpose.

That’s likely the confusion we will encounter when we are called to lift others up, to show them the way, to announce their purpose – and then they have to ‘leave’ us to achieve their Purpose…. we will feel unappreciated, left behind or maybe fulfilled.

Matthew 11:4-5 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.”

The greatest glory in the encounter between Jesus and John the Baptist was the fulfillment of God’s Purpose.

As we journey through life, our greatest achievement is really in fulfilling our individual purposes, supporting others to fulfill their God-ordained purposes, and ultimately fulfilling Kingdom purposes – to the glory of His Name.

Our prayer, then, is that we will encounter people who will discern what is in us and be selfless enough to usher us into our Place of Purpose; that we will find grace to go through the Process of Preparation, and that we will, in turn be faithful enough to call out others to fulfill their God-ordained Purpose.

Bon Voyage.