Listen

They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” John said, “I’m not.”

“Are you the prophet?” John answered, “No.”

They asked, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

John replied,

Those sent by the Pharisees asked, “Why do you baptize if you aren’t the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?”

John answered, “I baptize with water. Someone greater stands among you, whom you don’t recognize. He comes after me, but I’m not worthy to untie his sandal straps.” This encounter took place across the Jordan in Bethany where John was baptizing.

John 1:21-28

Think

John the Baptist called himself a “voice crying out in the wilderness,” and he was just that! He lived in the wilderness of the desert and preached to anybody who would listen to him about the joy of God’s purifying love. He devoted his entire life to preparing the way for Jesus to enter the world and free us from everything that tries to keep us from loving God.

You can use your voice in lots of different ways. You can use your voice to build others up and encourage them, or you can use it to make others feel bad about themselves. You can use your voice to take a stand on important issues and speak out against injustices, or you can use it to keep silent in the face of injustice and oppression. You can also use your voice to tell people you love them and help spread joy to others.

During this holy season of Advent, consider the ways you’re using your voice now and how you can use it in the future.

Cody Maynus

Question to Ponder:

How is God calling you to use your voice in the world?

Pray

Holy God, I give you thanks for giving me a voice and calling me to use it.

Help me to speak up, even when it would be easier to stay silent.

Help me to speak of your love to everybody I meet.

Amen.

Go

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in faith so that you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13