Sunday 09 December 2007

Background

John the Baptist's dress sense was, by our standards, prettybad. The camel hair and leather belt design would not make theMilan catwalk. His food was not much better and his message with novideo clips or PowerPoint presentation would definitely not havemet with modern communication techniques.

John the Baptist, a man from a godly family, had always been a partof God's plan to touch and redeem this broken world. As a baby heleapt for joy in his mother's womb at Mary's news of the coming ofJesus and his life was spent making known the way of theLord.

All John did and said pointed to the coming of God and his kingdom.Did John fully understand the implications of who Christ was? Didhe truly grasp the impact of Jesus and the importance of the rolehe was playing?

Perhaps in part, but what was certain was his commitment to therole he was called to play in making known the message of God. Hislife was spent doing all he could to make sure people were ready,that barriers were cleared and obstructions removed so that all hada straight path to Jesus who would bring them something that Johncould not give.

To Ponder

What calling do you have from God to fulfil?

Have you ever had to stand out like John theBaptist because of your faith?

What must we as individuals and the Church as awhole do to make paths straight for the Lord this Advent?