FOCUS

John 1:8 John himself was not the light; he came ONLY as a witness to the Light.

What do think about John the Baptist? Surely some thought he was crazy camping out in the wilderness all the time. I wouldn’t want to live on his diet-locust and honey. I like more solid food. He sure wasn’t setting any fashion trends. However, it is clear some thought he was a prophet. The more he spoke, the more they believed.

Whatever you think about John, you can’t deny the guy was focused and had a clear sense of call. When asked about who he was, he said without hesitation, “I am not the Christ, I am not Elijah. I am the voice of one calling out in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord. I am not worthy to untie His sandals.”

It seems to me we talk a lot about focus and calling. We are always in process of trying to get it, clarify it, hold on to it, or get back to it. We tell ourselves and each other to refocus and to recalibrate. As churches, we are regularly trying to get back to the basics, find our core, and live out our values. It doesn’t seem like John needed much of that those days in the wilderness.

In John 1, John’s ministry is set in the context of the glory and excellency of the Word who became flesh, was the light of the world, and the glory of God. John was clear, he was ONLY a witness to the ONE who was so excellent and glorious, he wasn’t he even worthy to serve Him by doing the job of the lowest of slaves—untie His sandals. For John, clarity of focus and calling didn’t come from any handbook on managing or leading. It came from knowing, seeing and experiencing the excellency and glory of Jesus. Do you think that could be true for you?

Let’s pray today for ourselves individually and our church.
Father, we confess that we are people distracted, confused, torn here and there by a multitude of voices screaming at us from all sides. We confess that we have indulged ourselves in the pleasures of this world. Holy Spirit, move us to daily read the revelation we have of Jesus. As we read, open our eyes to see the glory, beauty, and excellency of Jesus. Show us who we really are in light of who He really is. Give us one glorious ambition for our life, to know and follow hard after Jesus.