Page 30 - BMIN191 Beginnning Internship

30 Beginning Ministerial Internship: Student Manual

Inability to face the wilderness will keep us from the true blessing of great
moments with God.
Why You Cannot Afford to Fail
The wilderness is always a part of the journey to the Promised Land. We have
come to see the wilderness experience as a time of being off-track. After all, if we
are truly living where God desires, we should experience unlimited blessing. But
these are the same types of ideas the false prophets spoke to Israel.
The truth is that if you reject the wilderness, you will never find the Promised
Land (the answer or the place you are seeking). You will never learn the lessons
that will guide you in times in the future, and you will never come to love and
lean on God the way that He desires. Though you may not see or feel Him, this is
a precious time for just you and God.
23 How does a minister’s A minister who fails the solitude test will also breed followers who cannot
response to the wilderness survive apart from God’s clear presence. Such disciples wilt when difficulty
affect those he or she leads? comes and only follow Christ if they can be spoiled by constant blessings. These
are not the type of disciples God expects His servants to produce.
How to Get a Passing Grade
Passing this test starts with accepting the nature of the test. Times of solitude
should be embraced just as strongly as times of blessing. If you abandon the
feeling that something is not right or fair, your endurance will be enhanced.

The leader needs to be honest with the Father in the wilderness. Here,
dependence on Him will be maximized. Just as David cried out his whole heart
to God, all ministers must lay open their hearts before the Lord. God does not ask
us to pretend we are not feeling alone, broken, confused, empty or scared, but He
wants us to bring all of ourselves to Him so He can meet our need. In turn, God’s
honesty will be reflected upon our hearts, and our true need will become clearer.
Then God can work from there.

24 When have you faced a Praise God for the wilderness. Moses likely thanked God often for the lessons
wilderness time, and how did he learned in the wilderness. They were the equipment he needed to lead Israel
you respond? How long did when their path crossed the wilderness. God will use your solitude to equip others.
it last, and what brought it to
its end?
Summary
25 What principle from this Life in the ministry will be one test after another. The tests have a purpose—
lesson do you find most the equipping of our lives for greater effectiveness. Those who resist God’s
important for your own testing lessen their chances of making it in the ministry. But those who trust Him
journey with God?
to lead find He has a plan ideally suited for their growth.
Be careful not to oversimplify your journey or that of another. Tests require
careful attention and preparation. Those who disregard their importance are like
the student who neglects study and then hopes to achieve his or her best.