Dad had always been the messenger sent ahead for my life. He was an example of how to live, how to work, how to change, how to give of yourself to those in need. He was a messenger sent ahead for me any way I look at it.
So, 30 years have passed? Sometimes that seems like a long time and sometimes it seems like yesterday. Years pass but his presence has always remained in my mind and in my heart. I have thought so many times about lessons and skills he graciously gave me to use as I live my life in this here and now.
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, and people came to the wilderness to hear what John had to say. John lived the life of one from the wilderness as well. John didn't try to be anything that God didn't want John to be. John was John to the core. And John knew that he was a messenger. A messenger with a purpose and truth to tell.
Through the power of God, John brought people to realize repentance and forgiveness and the washing of the water of baptism in their lives. John brought people to prepare to hear the message ... even more to live the message ... even to follow the message and see God's coming.
John was the messenger to something that we can't fully understand, we can't fully believe, we can't fully put into words. John was the messenger that did the best he could with God acting through and in him to point to what I don't think any of us would be able to imagine or place into words.
Sounds kind of like what my dad was trying to blink, motion, tell to me and my brother and all the world 30 years ago.
God IS coming. God IS coming to you. God will knock your socks off with what is in store next!
Who are you? Each one of us ... a messenger sent ... in a unique way to a unique place in a unique situation. A messenger called and sent to point ... to point to the One who comes to us where we are, here and now.
