Why did Jesus wait until He was 30 years of age to begin His ministry when He was so full of wisdom at the age of 12?

Why did the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus only last three and a half years when He could have lived a long, full life?

Why in those three and a half years did He not go everywhere, heal everyone, do everything He could have done?

There are many things we do not know and some things we cannot answer. One thing is sure. At the end of His short life He said to His Father, “I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do” (John 17:4).

So often sincere believers and Christian workers grow anxious about all there is to get done. The needs are overwhelming, the burdens crushing, the time shortening. Yet God does not expect you to do everything, go everywhere, help everyone – He only expects you to do what HE has given you to do.

One of the greatest realizations I every came to was that what I could do and what I should do are not always the same things.

Stop putting pressure on yourself that God has not put on you. Keep it simple: what has the Father given you to do? Do that – nothing more, nothing less.

Perhaps you are called on to wait. Thirty silent years preceded three public years in the life of Christ. God is getting you ready for something and He is getting something ready for you. At the right time the two will divinely intersect and you will know it. Wait patiently on God.

Perhaps you are frustrated that you are not seeing more done. Work in faith. Do what you can with total dependence that God will do what He will. Remember that God can do more in a moment than we can in a lifetime. Work patiently with God.

When your life and labors are done the greatest accomplishment will be to say, “I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do,” and the greatest joy would be to hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23).