The Length of Obscurity

“No leader ever comes out of nowhere - ever.”

When it seems like someone all of a sudden showed up on the scene and came out of nowhere, what you are really seeing is the sudden emergence from a season of shaping in Obscurity. Much like the bamboo plant; it does most of its growth preparation under the surface of the ground, but when it emerges, it shoots up “out of nowhere” as the fastest-growing plant on the planet. But the only reason it can grow that fast above the ground is because of its preparation underground. I love the way John Maxwell says it:

"Everyone likes an overnight success, the problem is there aren’t any."
John Maxwell

Think of David as he “comes out of nowhere” to fight his epic battle with Goliath. Everyone that day was shocked, and I’m sure the news headlines that next morning read something to the effect of “Young Warrior Emerges from out of Nowhere to take out the Giant.” Even after this big stage show, he goes back into Obscurity again. Ultimately, for David, it was nearly 20 years before the prophecy came to pass. If that’s an overnight success, then that was one long night.

“The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.”
Ecclesiastes7:8NIV

DREAMING & WAITING

As I read Acts 1, I was reminded that God always gives promises and dreams that have elements of preparation, staying, and waiting attached to them.

“On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." … But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Acts 1:4, 5, 8 NIV

“Empowerment and increase are always at the end of a time of staying and waiting.”