John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.'"
John 1:23
When John the Baptist came on the scene, many people thought he had to be the Messiah they had been praying for. He was a learned man – preaching in a new a different way and speaking of the grace God offered. Everything John said – even the tough stuff – sounded good to the spiritually hungry people of Israel
Even though John could have easily usurped (fancy word for taken) the role of Messiah - crowds were following him everywhere and he had his own posse of disciples - he knew who he was and what God called him to do. John understood that stepping outside of God's plan for his life would lead to trouble. John had the equally easy and difficult task of staying on the path God provided for him.
To John, he saw his journey as clearly as the runway lights on an air field lighting the way home for an airplane. He knew exactly what God’s will was for his life and the sacrifices he needed to make to fulfill his calling. But, as with any calling, the blessings often require sacrifice. John sacrificed a comfortable home, plentiful food and eventually his life, all for the great blessing of being the “one who goes before” – the “voice in the wilderness”.
Often, we do not have the gift of a clear vision of our individual missions in life like John did. Even with thoughtful prayer and focused attention on God and His will, we can be confused or unsure of what the next step is in the journey God has in store for us. This sense of ambiguity can leave us afraid – nearly paralyzed in indecision over what next step to take in life.
But this confusion – this uncertainty – does not mean that God’s call on your life or on my life is any less important or meaningful than God’s call to John. Each of us, in our own uniqueness, has an important and integral part to play in God’s design for this world.
However, the only way we will know what God’s desire for us to do, is to be in constant contact with Him, just like John the Baptist. Through prayer, the study of His Word, and seeking guidance from spiritually mature Christians, we will begin to see God’s plan for our lives unfold before us.
Trust God. He knows what He is doing.
Scripture
Quote of the Day
C.S. Lewis
Question of the Day
What can you do today to better understand what God is calling you to do?
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