Malachi 3:1 - "I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me."
Mark 1:4 - And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
On the surface, I'd probably say that John led a solitary life. He shows up in the desert burning with a message given to him by God, and scripture says that he preached that message. Actually the word used is for desert is"Wilderness". Every time I think about this passage, I picture ol' John out there in the middle of nowhere, preaching to no one. His voice rises above the wind and the night sounds of the animals that come out in search of water and food.
What must it have been like to be "THE" voice that was chosen by God to proclaim the coming of Jesus? Most versions of scripture say that John was a voice "crying" in the wilderness. Picture this---Some caravan goes by while John is crying out, and they hear his message. Later as the caravan enters the city, during a conversation with the locals, the travelers bring up the fact that there is a man outside of town, in the middle of nowhere talking to no one. Pretty soon the story spreads concerning John, and folks began to make the trek out to see what was going on. There in that wilderness, they find themselves confronted with truth. There in that lonely, desolate place, human hearts were brought face to face with the truth of God. Pretty soon, there was a steady stream of humanity coming to where John was, to be baptized by him. A baptism of preparation.....a physical symbol of repentance, and a desire to follow God.
Flash forward to now: Those who have turned will and life over the care of God are now called to take their message to others. We have now been called to be a voice crying out in the wilderness of addiction and sin. A message of hope. A message of a new life. A message that defines the very concept of "God does for me what I cannot do for myself." And hanging over this entire picture, flies the banner of Salvation. Sin debt cancelled. Relationship with the living God restored. Brought into His family through adoption by the blood of Christ. With all of this, how could you not tell your story? How could you not be a "Voice" in our world today. Not a religious voice. Not a denominational voice. Not a church voice. But merely the voice of one who has been called and saved by God.
As it reads in the book of Jude, verse 23 - "Save others by snatching them from the fire." No doubt about it, when you choose to follow Christ, it can be a lonely time. Friends will reject you for the choice you made. Old using buddies will mock you and maybe even disappear from your life, as they want nothing to do with you. But in this journey you find a new family that will help and encourage you to not give up, but continue to take the message to others. Some may view you as being a loner, but trust me.....with God, you are never alone.
God on you...
mbb
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