Some of you will recognize the above phrase as part of the lyrics of a song now playing across the country. While the verses escape me the chorus refrain has haunted me for days. I know the Holy Spirit is sending a message to the messengers.
My mind immediately goes to John the Baptizer when I think of a Kingdom messenger. John always understood his purpose. Though he would have been destined to take his father’s place as a priest of Israel, he accepted the position assigned him by God to announce Jesus.
As I have reviewed John’s life recently, I have been convicted by his focus and commitment to complete his assignment. Being a priest would have brought him respect and notoriety, being the forerunner of Christ brought him isolation and criticism. His ministry was often compared to the ministry of Jesus and found wanting. His life expectancy was cut short due to his uncompromising loyalty to God’s Word.
Perhaps you, like me could use some time to evaluate how committed we are to the place God has assigned us in the Kingdom. How much time and energy and even prayer do we spend hoping to have a different position? Do we pay careful attention to the difference between seeking to go further than we are in what God has put in us and seeking something different because we feel we are not recognized enough where we are?
John’s most powerful words were, “I must decrease, HE must increase”. May my life begin to revolve around that refrain. May I be a messenger as faithful to God’s assignment for my life as John was? May my message be clear, convicting the hearts of mankind to accept Jesus as the Lamb that takes away the sin of the world.
When God sends forth calling all the messengers, may I run toward the call no matter what the cost.