Light of the WorldSample

Runners train every day to hear the word “go.” They practice holding their positions, their mark, until they hear a gunshot, a buzzer, or someone shout, “Go!” They store all their energy, holding their ready and eager feet, waiting to put all their preparation and training to use for its intended purpose. John the Baptist was the same.

From the womb, John was set on go! He was raised his whole life knowing he was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy; he was the voice in the wilderness that would cry out, “Prepare the way for the Lord.” His parents had trained him in the way he should go. In the fullness of time, God revealed it was John’s “go” moment, and he went. All his energy, all his focus was placed in one task: to prepare the hearts of the people to receive their Messiah.

He indeed was the voice in the wilderness crying out. His message was repentance, and his method of expressing heart change was baptism. No doubt John’s days were long, and he wondered when Jesus would make himself known. But John had prepared his whole life to run his race, and he never stopped inviting God’s people to repent, turn from their sin, and prepare their hearts for the Messiah who came and was about to make himself known.

We, too, have a mission, and our “go” moment has come. If we have received the gift of the Messiah, we should be sharing the gift with others. God is likely not asking many of us to wander in the wilderness, crying out to people who pass by, but there are people who pass us by each day. And, if we lean in and listen to the Holy Spirit, one of those people was placed in our path for a message of repentance and salvation to be shared. When you encounter them, it will be “go” time.

Question:
Are you prepared to share the gift of the Messiah with those around you?

Application:
To be able to share the salvation message with others takes preparation and practice, spend just a few minutes today preparing for your “go” moment.