A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Isaiah 40:3 NIV
If you've ever been lost, you probably suffered anxiety and despair. In my early teens, Uncle Jerry and I went mushroom hunting near our homes. I wandered down one hollow bottom while he searched in another direction. After half an hour, l realized I was hopelessly lost, far off any trail, with the sun covered by a thick canopy of trees, so I could not get a bearing of my direction. I panicked! After another half hour of praying, more wandering, and calling out Jerry's name, we reconnected. But, the best I remember, I didn't find any mushrooms.
Your stories of being lost likely didn't take place in Monroe County, Indiana's forests, but I'm guessing it's happened to you. It can happen anywhere. It happened to the children of Israel, exiled; they'd been lost for years. Their kind of lost, though, was spiritual. God gave Isaiah the message of comfort to those whom he loved. Their days of despair and wandering would soon be over; God would deliver them.
During Advent, we recall how Jesus came to make the path straight–no more confusing laws–but first, his cousin John came as the voice calling. The lost were groping for the way but couldn't find it, John would alert them, but the coming Jesus would lead them. Without Jesus' coming, we would still be wandering, but thanks to the grace of the Father, we have been rescued.
There's still a need for voices crying in the wilderness. Those voices are us! We must share God's words of comfort and help lead others out of the desert unto Christ's righteous path.
Father, we thank you for Jesus, who saved us, and the Holy Spirit that leads us. Help us to be your voices in the wilderness. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
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