12-13-17 - Crying Out In Wilderness

John the Baptist would have made a good secret agent – he didn’t give away much under interrogation. Once the temple leaders investigating him established that he was not the Messiah, Elijah, nor “the prophet,” they pressed on:
“Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

John might have answered, “I am the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, of the priestly line of Aibjah, born in the hill country of Judea when my parents were too old to have children… I am a preacher in the desert…” But rather than a standard biography, he offers this cryptic tidbit:
“I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, “Make straight the way of the Lord,”’ as the prophet Isaiah said.

The identity John claims is that of “voice.” Not maker, builder, preacher, baptizer, but “voice.” A lonely voice at that, crying in deserted places to make a straight way for the Lord. Why in the wilderness? Because no one would have heard him above the din of the city? Because people needed to come away from their distractions to focus on his message? Because that’s where the river was?

Those who speak the truth are often lonely voices in wild places. Think about a time when you have heard someone speak truth that shook your soul or ignited your mind… where were you? What made it possible for you to hear that word? Were you away from your routines, your busyness?

And what message from God do you have for your fellow man? What urgent news do you want to share? Are you called to a “wild place” to share that? Wilderness doesn’t have to look like desert – an empty kitchen that used to be full of children can be a wilderness; a hospital waiting room can be a wilderness; a mall parking lot a desert. Where are you called to bring your voice of truth and love?

It seems absurd on the face of it, a voice crying out in the wilderness. Who the heck is going to hear it? But John’s audience came to him, flocking out of the city, listening, and responding. I believe that when we share the message God wants to give through us, the people who need to hear it will find us. Our wildernesses will become community; our voices will be heard.

(Here is an Advent hymn for today: "There's a voice in the wilderness crying")

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