Make a Way

 I am the voice of one calling in the desert, "Make straight the way of the Lord." (John 1:23)

A desert may not be the best place to gather a crowd, but it may be the best place to make disciples. We can learn from being hot and hungry when the lessons are about real food and drink.

In preparing, we find our way. Perhaps the best preparation is realizing we what we are doing is not satisfying our hunger or thirst.

Before we hear a voice that calls, "Follow me," we will hear a voice that calls, "Make straight the way." Leaving one path will open our eyes to another one.

But beware of visuals. Often the voice calls out in the darkness. "Too much" and "too many" can clutter the way. The desert can open our ears and eyes to the silence and solitude it brings.

 

It is the dry places and times in our lives that need the water most. This is hard, because they are dry for a reason. But it is also easy, because the dry land drinks most readily.

 

All that is gold does not glitter;

Not all who wander are lost.

The old that is strong does not wither.

Deep roots are not reached by the frost. (Tolkien)