Read: Genesis 15:1 – 17:27

God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony.
John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. (John 1:6-8)

Relate: When we speak of John we use words like: “witness”, “forerunner”, and “prophet”. He came to proclaim witness to the coming Messiah. He was a forerunner of Christ sent to prepare the way. He is the last of the Old Testament style prophets. But when John spoke about himself he denied the rightful titles on prophet and Elijah. He called himself only a “voice crying out in the darkness, prepare the way for the Lord.” When his disciples wanted to compare him to Jesus John told them point blank, “He must become greater and I must become less.” When Jesus came to him to be baptized John humbly and sincerely said, “I am not even worthy to tie your shoes.” John’s whole life, his lifestyle, and his message were as narrowly focused as a laser beam on one single point, and that point was the coming of the Christ.

React: Because of this narrow and single minded focus, when Jesus spoke about John he said, “I tell you, among men born of women there is none greater than John.” That’s a pretty inclusive list… and he’s tops. It makes me wonder what He will say about me. When others speak of me, what words will they use? Am I a witness to One greater? When others ask me who I am, will my identity be found as a voice proclaiming the greatness of another? Will I be called a reflection of His glory? Or will I try to lay hold of my own? When others begin to make comparisons will I put an end to it by declaring, “Let me become less that God might be glorified”? When I come before God, will I have a laundry list of demands or will I simply say to Him, “I am Your unworthy servant”? When everything is all said and done, will He in turn say of me, “Well done thy good and faithful servant.”

Respond: 

God, give me focus. Help me to stop being distracted by the trivialities of this life. I want more and more to become lost in You that You might be found in me. I surrender my needs, my wants, my dreams, and my ambitions to Your will. Through my life be glorified. In my life be everything.