I'm Ready To Be Ready

Several years ago, I memorized John 1.1-18 along with my congregation. Ever since that time, I have used those 18 verses in my morning worship as a reminder of who Jesus is: God and Creator and Life and Light. He alone - as God - is worthy to be worshiped.

Tucked in those verses there are some words about John the Baptist: “There came a man who was sent from God. His name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light. He came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world” (John 1.6-9). In those verses I am reminded that my job is not to be The Light, but to testify to The Light. My ministry is not about me at all, but should only illuminate Jesus “the true light that gives light to every man.”

In Matthew 3, we encounter John the Baptist testifying about The Light. He is identified by his mission as “a voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord. Make straight paths for him.’” As I read that, I thought that I, too, want to be the voice of one calling… but in the desert?

Where is the desert, Lord? Where do people need to hear? Where can I preach repentance and testify to the nearness of your kingdom? Where will you see of harvest of souls confessing, repenting, and being baptized?

When, Lord? When will I go preaching in the desert? When will I exalt Jesus in preaching again? When can I lead people to the cross? To Jordan? I know that my life daily illuminates Jesus, but I long to preach.

At this stage of my journey, I am learning to wait upon the Lord. Yes, I feel that I am ready, but I bow to the wisdom of my Savior and trust in the will of my Father. So, instead of saying, “I’m ready,” I say “I’m ready to be ready! Make me ready. Send me out, to the desert, O Lord!”