by 
Preparing for the Messiah
Rachael W.
I will send my messenger ahead of you, Who will prepare your way, a voice calling you in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, Make straight paths for Him.’
And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of camel hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And this was his message: “After me comes one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
When God created us in the womb, He had a plan in mind for us. God’s plan is what we can consider our highest calling. It’s the calling we were made for, the one that was made to benefit the world and ourselves. When John appeared on earth, he passionately followed God’s calling for his life. He was unafraid of the obstacles he would face. He lived in the wilderness, ate strange food, wore strange clothes, and preached a message that not everyone wanted to hear. John did what he did not simply because he loved it, but because he knew that God would do great things through him.
Prayer: Lord, we have all experienced being lost and lonely in our lifetimes. Let John be our example in our pursuit for Your divine purpose in our lives. Help us to hear Your voice and follow that high calling You have placed on our lives. Amen.
