It is the
beginning of a new year. We often think
about resolutions and things we want to change.
I want us to focus on finding out what God is doing in and through you.
In order to
do that, let's look at the scripture in Luke 3:15-17, 21-22.
He is helping
people to get morally and ethically ready…as well as spiritually. His proclamation is one of repentance. He is helping them to get prepared for what
is to come.
John tells
them that the Savior is coming. He was
encouraging about the good news of the coming Savior. Then, Jesus comes on the scene. Jesus is about 30 yrs old at this point. He is ready to begin His ministry…ready to do
what He is called to do. His first step
in showing this completion is baptism. This
is a huge beginning to the ministry of Jesus.
You may be
wondering how this relates to you. You
aren't Jesus…I'm not Jesus. There are a
couple of things that I want you to notice that we can learn, both from the
people and from Jesus.
First, the
hearts and minds of the people are opened.
We know because they were waiting expectantly…they were excited…ready
for the Savior.
This was
long awaited. John is the first real one
to come on the scene about the Savior in a really long time. Their hearts are finally ready for Jesus.
If your
hearts and minds aren't ready, you won't be ready for what the Lord has for
you. You can't do or keep doing what the
Lord has for you unless you are ready…ready through prayer (notice that
Jesus prayed) and realization that you can't do this on your own…humbled
Second, Jesus
is baptized as are the others. He is
baptized as the beginning of the calling for which He came. He didn't have to be baptized…He wasn't a
sinner and didn't need people to see that He had repented. He didn't need to know He was the Son of
God…He knew that. This was the beginning
of what God had sent Him for.
For us, true
repentance and trust in the Savior is the start of doing what we are called to
do. Remember…if our hearts and minds
are ready, then we will realize our need for a Savior…and will realize our need
for cleansing and a brand new start…
Third, Jesus
began and fulfilled His calling.
What about you? You have your
heart ready…you have repented and are focused…what are you going to do
now?
That's where
many of us fizzle. We want to do
something…and we often think we have to do something big. We think we have to set the world on fire…ever
heard the song…it only takes a spark?
We fizzle
because we have our own ideas and agendas.
We want to make a big splash in this life. So, we set out to do just that. In the process, we completely miss our
calling. We completely miss what God has
sent us for. We miss what He wants us to
do. The problem is that God has created us to do something special and it isn't
to copy other people's ministries. Our
ministry may be menial by worldly standards but makes a big impact in heavenly
standards. Our calling may be to make a
difference through our jobs or families or relationships…our calling may be
simple and seemingly small. But, what
God has called you to do, He is ready for you to do. He wants you to give your all to whatever it
is that He has called you to do…no matter what.
You want to
begin to do what God has called or continue in that. How about having a clean, prepared, repentant
heart and let God show you what He wants YOU to do…for you are fearfully
and wonderfully made…for His purpose and His good will. If you are already doing His will, be
thankful, and be renewed. Don't get
discouraged in doing what He would have you to do. Don't try to do it by yourself. If He called you to do it, He will lead you
every step of the way and will give you the strength, power and courage to do
it. Don't give up…God IS at work! Are you doing it?
