Witnesses to Truth

John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. John 1:8 NLT

These are times when we must be careful about our priorities and preferences. We seem to be slowly and steadily raising men and institutions as standards instead of raising God as the only Standard worth following. We have exalted men over and above the God they claim to serve, whilst not even sure of the God they truly serve. In gatherings called to hear God speak, we have described and introduced servants of God in ways that seem to make them bigger than the One who has given the assignment. Men have been called 'great' instead of God, men have been superlatively described in ways that only God should be.

It is no wonder then that this generation seems to be devoid of the power and move of God. There are several 'churches' and gatherings called to honour God, yet the focus is on man, his gifts, talents and appearance. Servants of God arrogate to themselves the honour and prestige due to the master, while church members seem to honour the words of servants over and above those of the master. No true servant has a voice of his own; he speaks only as directed, and when he speaks, lives must be impacted. People who hear God speak cannot but react, either positively or negatively, but the fact is God has spoken.

John was not the light, and he did not ascribe such powers to himself. He was content pointing people to the light, and when the light came, John was content to be relegated to the background. In fact, as soon as Jesus was baptized by John, we hear nothing about John until the events that led to his death. That is a life totally sold out to God, conscious of his assignment and content to be at his duty post, no matter how insignificant or ordinary it is. Rewards are not tied to visibility or popular opinion but to the pursuit of purpose. You don't get God's approval by speaking grammar but by speaking as led by the Master himself. John was in the desert, not dressed in power suits or flowing gowns, but in animal skins. He didn't eat from plates or have the best of dishes, but his meal was locusts and wild honey. Yet, great men left the city and went to him in the desert, because he was a man with a message from God. Am I pointing others to the light, or am I struggling to be seen and appreciated by men? Can i pray John's prayer: He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30 KJV. His time of favour is here.