Today I write to you from Arizona where the air’s dry and warm. Reading the Gospels for a New Testament survey class at our church, encouraged me to look at the times in which I live through the times into which Jesus came.
Out in the desert, where sand blows and sun blisters, it’s not hard from me to imagine Biblical times, especially if I turn my back to the urban sprawl and towards the open desert and mountains.
In the gospels John the Baptist comes on like a Rock star. He dressed, ate and lived like a wild man, followed by passionate groupies, curious folks and serious critics.
People may have gotten confused over who he was, some thinking Messiah, others Elijah, but John never lost sight of his true identity. He was to prepare the way for the One, the Lamb of God, Jesus.
How?
Choosing to tell and live the Truth, no matter the consequences.
Gwendolyn Carr’s poem weighs on me in these times.
JOHN THE BAPTIST (c)
Out on the plain
where the wind scours clean
and the unvarnished sun
beats hot-a wildman came,
rough as sand, simple as bread,
and fearless.
And he spoke hard words
that the silence heard,
and many of good intent,
but the closed ear,
and the shut heart,
recoil at the word “repent”.(c)
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Poem is so apprapo for these times.
I love that John never lost sight of his true identity – no matter what.
I enjoyed this blog entry, Jan. I also am enjoying the vision of you in hot, dry weather. Spending the winter in New England helps me to never forget my identity transitioning from the midwest to the northland. My Christian identity, however, goes with me anywhere. We will miss you for awhile. Marianne