John the Baptist: Pointing the Way

“…a voice of one calling in the desert,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”
Mark 1:3 (quoting Isaiah 40:3)

Mark opens his gospel by introducing an interesting character, John the Baptist.  Clothing made of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist coupled with a diet of locusts and wild honey make John look something like this in my mind’s eye:

If you’re a Duck Dynasty fan like me and my family, you also appreciate the way Phil Robertson wraps up each episode with a family prayer time that also points to Jesus.

The challenge for me (and I hope for you, as well) is to ask, Does my life do the same?  Does my vocabulary, my calendar, my TV viewing …point to Jesus?  How about my checkbook, my attitude, my response to conflict, and even my response to praise?  I’m not talking about a have-to/legalistic set of rules ….but a heart set on pointing others to the one who saved me, a deep-seeded desire to live intentionally and passionately for the One who died so I could live.

When I read “make straight paths,” it brings to mind a bulldozer clearing a path for a new road to be constructed.  Anything blocking the path is removed.

Lord, is there anything in my life that could block or hinder others from seeing You?

If I truly want my life to be a road sign pointing others to my Savior, I can even use road signs to prompt thoughtful prayer:

  Father, give me opportunities today to give way to others.  Forgive me for demanding my own way.  I want to defer to others – give up my right to be right to bring You glory.

Jesus, I want to follow hard after you.  Help me to walk in your ways.  I pray my walk will match my talk.  Reveal any areas of hypocrisy and then give me Your strength to change.

Holy Spirit, I know there are some non-negotiables that just simply need to stop.  Convict me of those things that need to stop in my life. 

 Lord, I pray my life will always and in all ways point others to You!

Bottom line:

The woman of God devotes her life to pointing the way to Jesus!

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 This week in our study of Mark: The On-The-Go Gospel, we studied Mark 1:1-9.  If you would like to listen to the teaching lecture, you can find it here:

http://fbcsiloam.podbean.com/2013/08/29/ladies-bible-study-mark-11-8-laura-macfarlan-8-29-13/

Photo attributions:
http://online.wsj.com
http://www.etfmarketpro.com
http://www.mybabyrj.com
http://toworkandback.com
http://www.marketingpilgrim.com