Make a straight way for the Lord

John 1:23 He said, “I am a voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” The ministry of John the Baptist should be a great encouragement to us. When asked who he was, this was his reply. He identified with Isaiah, the prophet. I want us to consider God's great love for His people that He would send someone to prepare the way for His Son. John knew who he was. He knew his purpose—get people ready for Jesus so they would recognize Him when He came. The encouragement I take from this verse is that all believers essentially have the same purpose. We are forerunners for Jesus in the lives of those God puts in our paths. As we live to love with Jesus, we may be asked, “What’s with you? Why do you do what you do?” The questions may be answered with a similar idea as John’s answer. “I am a voice crying in the wilderness of this world, ‘Jesus is coming to you, get ready to receive Him.’” In a sense, John was the organizer of what I call “the hanging-out-at-the-river club.” He knew the Messiah was coming to the river. God had told him to go to the Jordan river in the wilderness and preach and wait. So he did. As we will see in the following verses, he had a message to give, and those who believed him joined the club. Each day, they would go out to hear him and wait for the Messiah. To put it in a more modern setting, we might think of it this way. The river at which we know Jesus is going to show up has several streams uniting into one river: the streams of Bible reading, prayer, meditation on His Word, preaching, and fellowship with believers. We know that’s where Jesus is going to show up. So we call people to come to the river to meet Him when He comes. What do they do while they wait? They get their driveways ready. They clear out anything that might hinder or prevent Him from turning in the driveway of their lives when He comes down the street. John called that preparatory exercise, repentance. Turn away from trusting in your religious exercises of self-righteousness. Repent of unbelief and idolatry. Stop doing things you know are antagonistic to the life of God. Seek His face. That’s making straight the way of the Lord. After making a purchase at a store, I told Lona, the checkout girl, that I had prayed for her that morning. I shared the Live to Love prayer with her and then asked if there was anything specific I could pray for. She said, “No.” I responded, “Then I will pray that Jesus will show up today in your life in an unmistakable way.” She thanked me, and I hope and pray she joined the hanging-out-at-the-river club, expectantly waiting for Him to come. Do we have anything in our lives that hinders the flow of the life of Christ? Are we making His way straight, right, easy so that He sees that we want Him and are seeking Him? Living to love with Jesus is the straight way. He is the way, the truth, and the life. He is the way to the Father. So let’s walk faithfully today, ready to love with Him whoever He puts in our paths, calling them to get ready for Him to reveal Himself to them. I invite you to become a partner in our ministry. Would you pray about becoming a regular supporter of Elijah Ministries and the Live to Love with Jesus ministry? I hope you will receive the joy and benefit of “giving it forward,” so others may receive encouragement to turn their hearts to God and to live to love with Jesus. You may give online or send a check to the address listed at www.spiritofelijah.com/donate.