Plant Flowers

“I am a voice crying out in the desert, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ just as the prophet Isaiah said.” John 1:23

In Isaiah 40:3, we read the prophecy, “A voice of one calling: "In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” From birth, John the Baptist recognized Jesus as the Messiah. In Luke chapter 1, Mary visited Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb for joy! 

When John was born, amidst amazement and wonder, for Elizabeth was so old, his father Zechariah proclaimed, “And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord.” (Luke 1:76)

We too are “prophets” of God. We are called to make straight His path, to prepare for His 2nd coming. Our birth was not foretold, but each and every day, we are given a chance to bring God’s Word to life in someone’s heart. 

Of all the new year’s messages that circulated yesterday, the one that touched me the most, were not the fantastic fireworks, or the exploding gifs. It was a graphic of two quite ugly monsters. One said, “Why so optimistic about 2019? What do you think it will bring? Everything seems so messed up!” We can certainly relate to the question, can’t we!? 

“I think it will bring flowers,” the other monster replied. “Yes, how come?” “Because I am planting flowers.” And sure enough the monster had a trowel, seeds and a watering pot, and he was digging a hole. Instead of planting pessimism, let’s brighten up our little corner of the world. If we want peace, plant peace. 

We do not need to foretell future events to be a “prophet” today. We need only to tell the truth, and what better truth is there to proclaim than the good news? If we plant seeds today, they will bring forth good fruit.