There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not thelight; he came only as a witness to the light. ~ John 1:6-8
READING: John 1:6-9
As his ministry makes clear, John the Baptist was a unique person with a unique ministry. At a crucial time in God’s salvation history, John came with the mission of witnessing to the light – Jesus. John was sent by God at a particular moment and in a particular culture with a task only he could accomplish.
Isn’t church planting and pastoring like that? Even though none of us can do what only John was called to do, we are also called to witness to the light. In a particular moment and culture, God has called and gifted each of us to witness to the light.
John summarized his ministry this way: “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). That’s the ministry of church planting, isn’t it? Fill in your name: “There came a man who was sent from God; his name was _________!” Read it again. God has called, prepared and empowered you to witness to His Son today!
How might this reality give focus and purpose to your day? Each encounter is an opportunity. Each difficulty becomes an occasion for the light of the world to shine through to a watching world. Time with the family is a chance for Jesus’ love to warm and nurture.
Lord, Empower me to witness to the light today. Use me to call attention to Your love and grace to every person and in every circumstance I’m privileged to experience. Amen.
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