"The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight, Every valley shall be filled And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough ways smooth; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God."
John the Baptist was not a crowd pleasure, he was indeed a radical Christian. He was different; his life preached fire concentration. He bore a calling that was uncomfortable. He went into a place that was only him and God. There he was in this wilderness with many trials but he was sharpened by God. He came out of the wilderness so changed, that his life was then obligated to express what he had seen and experienced with God.
John spoke with the authority of the Holy Spirit. Speaking truth that was setting people free and convicting those to a righteous lifestyle. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. In our generation, we need to be so founded in that statement alone. Jesus ALONE is the way, the truth, and the light. Everyone is saying to hush any religion because it may offend people. There are so many Equal Rights Movements that we are forgetting that the only cure for this broken world is a Jesus Movement. Religion is being hushed, no one wants to be offended. We have to be ones that aren't afraid of men's opinion and more in tune with God's heart and His burden for people. Our generation is pushing for good morals, and saying that "you do you". There is a way that seems right to men, but leads to death.
We are called to be so connected with God's heart and thoughts. We are called to be lovers of Jesus, being separated from the crowd. John was one that pioneered the way for Jesus. When Jesus gives us a dream, it's His dream. No other person may be with you on it, but because He said it, it will happen. You are not alone in this calling. You may be different in society and you may be mocked for walking a different path. You know what your daddy has told you, so you stay founded in your identity and you walk in that dream with faith. You can no longer go by sight, only faith.
When God gives you a word, you hold onto it with every might and don't you dare let go. Someone told me that you are like a tip of an arrow, preparing the way, facing opposition, but you are breaking through walls!
John was a nobody in his society, but in the eyes of Jesus, he was great. God wants to use those last to put first. God is looking for the ones who want to lay down everything! Those who lay down their talents for anointing. Even though John wasn't very known, he was known by people drawn to him because of what was in him.