A prophet of great stature he was!
Known far and wide, respected by all.
Those who gathered were in awe
Thus they queried, “Are you the Messiah?”
Unoffended and unashamed, he was not
Demeaned to own and to confess,
“I am not the One.” Who wouldn’t want
To claim such a majestic role?
Only one who knows and is content
In who he is despite what he isn’t.

I love stories, biographies the most. The Bible is full of such and what a pleasure to come upon impactful true-life stories of men and women like us who shined in a world as dark as we have it today? The story of John the Baptist tells of the life of a man of God whose birth was quite remarkable for his aged parents. A couple who were considered past the spring of life were visited by God and the result was the manifestation of the impossible: conception and delivery of a child to these old folks the world had written off. Even till today, do we still believe and obey Him knowing nothing is impossible to this same God?

Back to John, his ministry was making tremendous impacts and the eyes of all Israel were upon Him. Many turned up in repentance, to be baptized by Him. Watchers of history knew he was a great man but were uncertain where to place him. Suspicious that he might be the long-awaited Messiah, they confronted him with the question, “Are you the One we have been waiting for all these years? The One of whom it was prophesied, that He will come and set us free?” Pause for a minute and ask yourself, “If I was in John’s shoes, what would have been my response?” In this age of seeking for fame at all cost, where many are denying who they are and claiming who they are not, would truth have come easy to you?

Would you have owned up and crashed the majestic expectation with which the enquirers approached you? If you saw Jesus, a younger relative suddenly confirmed by the Holy Spirit as the Messiah, would you have affirmed God’s testimony without thinking how it would detract attention from you and cut back the crowd you have been pulling? Would you have taken that risk and watch some of your disciples desert you and shift alliances to the new guy in town? There are countless questions that come to mind as I review the life of John the Baptist in the light of what is happening globally in ministries and in our private lives today.

Yet, here was a man who understood his life’s calling and timing and was not threatened to acknowledge what he was not. Not intimidated to face the reality that he must decrease for his “younger cousin” who happens to be the True One to increase. May God help us understand who we are and what we are called to. To find our place and stay committed to it without comparing ourselves to others or desiring what is not ours. May His grace help us to find contentment in who we are despite what we are not. Amen.

Blessings.
Glory!