I've often found that the times when I have the strongest desire to load up my backpack and go are the times when I'm feeling totally drained. It's during those times that I long for nature and the solitude of the woods.
In one of my favorite books, The Way of the Wild Heart, author John Eldredge talks about how every year he takes a three day wilderness retreat. I read it for the second time about a year ago, and since then I've been trying to figure out when, where, and how to go about doing something like that. That time to be really alone with God is something that I crave.
It's this time of personal revival that I really haven't been able to fully get. The short hikes at the Ledges help, but it isn't the same as a three days alone in the wilderness. And the reason that personal revival is so important is because it impacts our entire life. It empowers us to do what we are called to do, in emboldens us to say what must be said. And I think during this time of revival in the wilderness we are often given a message that we need to proclaim.
Enter John the Baptist, the man with one of the most important messages anyone has been entrusted to share.
Matthew 3.1-3, "Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.' For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet when he said, 'The voice of one crying in the wilderness, "Make ready the way of the Lord,make His paths straight!"’"
Mark 1.4-5, "John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea was going out to him, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins."
John is the messenger sent ahead of Jesus to prepare the people for the coming Messiah. John lived in the wilderness. The Bible tells us that he ate locusts and wild honey, and that his clothing was made of camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist. And it was in the wilderness that God prepare him for his mission.
In the wilderness John, filled and led by the Spirit of God, brings about revival. People are repenting and being baptized. They are being cleansed in preparation of the coming Messiah.
Because of the work of God in John's life he recognizes Jesus as the Lamb of God, and declares it publicly. Because of the work of God, John knows his place as the messenger and not as the Messiah. And it is only in the humility of a life that has experienced revival that a man can say, "He must increase, but I must decrease."
In the wilderness, with no distractions, and no one to depend on except for God, the Spirit can do great things. He can bring revival, and revival is contagious. When God is at work people are drawn to it, and we see that people flocked to John. It is in the wilderness that the greatest revival can take place, because it is then that we are most desperate for God.
John's life was a life marked by revival, and it was something that spread to the people. God was at work and was transforming people's lives as they prepared to receive their long awaited Messiah. And John's life is a model for us to follow.
Our lives are about the glory of God and exaltation of Christ. God brings about revival in our lives so that we are cleansed and empowered to do those things. And often it is when we are in the wilderness that He is able to bring about the greatest revival. When we are most desperate for God, God shows up. And when revival sets in it spreads.
Revival changes us and those around us. Revival comes from God and is used by God. Are you desperately seeking revival? The wilderness is a place for God to revive us.
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
No comments:
Post a Comment