“The Lord has put me on the shelf.”
That is “Christian-ese” for “I am not in service”; “I’ve been set aside.”
Be careful. You may be in the Lord’s place of service, even though it isn’t how you want to be used.
Watch how you interpret “on the shelf.”
How about: “He is preparing me for something.” “He is giving me an opportunity to rest.” “I need to watch for opportunities in the place He put me.” “My time hasn’t come.” “Wait.”
Think about two people who might have felt they were on the shelf and forgotten:
John the Baptist
John the Baptist was about six months older than Jesus (Luke 1).
Eight days after he was born, his father prophesied: “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the LORD to prepare His ways…” (Luke 1:76)
Then there was a loooonnnnggg delay:
“And the child continued to grow and to become strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel.” (Luke 1:80)
His public appearance didn’t come until he was about 30.
Moses
Moses fled Egypt when he was 40 and settled in Midian where he pastured the sheep of his father-in-law for 40 years. Forty years!
During those 40 years, he married, had children, and tended the sheep.
And then, one day, out of the blue, the angel of the LORD appeared to Moses in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush. (Exodus 3:2)
The time had come for the LORD to send Moses back to Egypt in order to deliver His people.
Our Shelf Time
John the Baptist, no doubt, knew about the prophecy and was waiting for the Lord to tell him, “Go!”
There is no indication Moses thought he would have anything to do for the Lord. He probably thought he would continue to tend sheep, year after year.
What about you? Me?
We do not know the future. We do not know the Lord’s specific plans.
But we do have the present, and need to use our time wisely.
Continue to grow in knowledge of God.
Study the Bible
Worship
Pray
Be obedient to Him.
Watch for His orders
Trust
