Prepare the Way

“I am a voice in the desert, crying out: Make straight the way of the Lord!" John 1:23

 

John the Baptist was a very strange fellow, but he certainly knew his purpose. His was a purpose-driven life. He cut out all the fineries, and all that money could buy. But I really think he could have been a rich man if he wanted to be one. After all, people would flock to him in the desert, wanting to listen to what he had to say. People would line up, wanting to be baptized. Even the religious leaders came to him, wanting to know, "Who are you? Are you a prophet? Are you the Messiah? Are you Elijah?" It would have been easy for John to make use of his charisms, the gifts God gave him, to draw people to himself, found his own group of followers, and become famous and powerful in his own time, like some leaders today. But he didn’t. He chose to point the way to Jesus. 

Father, thank You for all You've given me- all the charisms, gifts, talents, resources. These are all from You. May I use them, like John, to point to You! May I not be corrupted by the ways of the world, and use what You have given me to only benefit myself!