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)

Be a Voice

In this dark, cold world
a voice cries out.
Just a city on a hill,
I am a lamp being lit,
not the light,
but another blind man
needing sight.

In this dry, barren world
a voice cries out.
Just speaking to the rock
of living water,
and just as thirsty, I say,
as every other wanderer
finding this one way.

In this empty shell of a world,
a voice cries out.
Just a word made flesh
dwelling among other men,
I am only a messenger,
not the speaker,
also desperate for the good news
to each Kingdom-seeker:
being found.

Cry out
in this wilderness world.
Be a voice,
just a voice,
for the Man.


One of the greatest freedoms in life is knowing what you don’t have to do.  It focuses the mind on what is necessary and saves me from just trying to get people to do what I want them to.  Like Mary, I want to find the “one thing needed.”  For John and myself, I see I am not the light, but only a witness.  I need not be so concerned with what people believe, but with what people see that I believe.

(Mediation on John 1:8)