John 1:19-28 - Being John the Baptist - Following God's Path

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

John 1:19-28

Quote of the Day

“We're not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.”

C.S. Lewis

Question of the Day

What can you do today to better understand what God is calling you to do?

Ask.Seek.Knock

When we go before God with a request, Jesus promises us that God will listen.

God responds to our requests as a loving father responds to his child. He listens patiently and then discerns what is best for his child. But if the child never asks, the father will still do what he feels is best for his child.

God is quite similar. He wants us to come to Him; to ask Him for what is on our heart. However, if we do not ask, He will still do what is best for us. Sometimes, what is best for each of us is a path we would not choose on our own, but we have to trust God, as we would trust our fathers that the path He has placed us on is the best one to travel.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7)

God wants us to be active in our faith. He wants us to come to Him. He wants us to ask Him for guidance, for direction, for comfort, for...for everything. When we do not go to God first, we run the risk of walking outside of the path that God has created for each of us. If  we do not first seek out His desire for our lives, we will be placing our will above His and will likely fall into sin...the sin of pride.

When we think that our way is the right way without first seeking out God, we essentially tell God that we do not need Him...when in fact He is all we need.

Go to God. Ask Him for the desires of your heart. Ask Him for direction in your life. Ask Him. He will always listen and He will always welcome you.

Ask.Seek.Knock...Pretty simple steps to follow to step out on God's path for your life.

Scripture

Matthew 7:7-12

Quote of the Day

Christ encourages fervency and constancy in prayer. We must come for what we need, as a man does to his neighbour or friend, who is kind to him. If God does not answer our prayers speedily, yet he will in due time, if we continue to pray. Observe what to pray for... For by the influences of the Holy Spirit we are brought to know God and ourselves, to repent, believe in, and love Christ, and so are made comfortable in this world, and meet for happiness in the next. All these blessings our heavenly Father is more ready to bestow on every one that asks for them, than an indulgent parent is to give food to a hungry child. And this is the advantage of the prayer of faith, that it quiets and establishes the heart in God. (Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary) Question of the Day What request have you not gone to God with? Will you go today?