Friday January 21, 2022

Today is Friday, January 21 and this week we are exploring what the Bible says about breaking ground.

As I enter a time of prayer, I pause and become still. I calm my thoughts and silence my mind. I breathe deeply and slowly, and center myself upon the presence of God.

Pause and Pray

Holy and loving God, in these first fifteen minutes of my day, I long to experience your presence. Come Holy Spirit, reveal how you want to break new ground in my life. Enable me to hear the unique message you have for me in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.

I rejoice with the ancient peoples and seek God with the words of Psalm 80.

Restore us, God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved. You transplanted a vine from Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it. You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land. Psalm 80:7-9

Pause and Pray

All four of the Gospels preface the narrative of Jesus’ ministry with an account of John the Baptist. John offered a sacrament of repentance and called people to divine judgement. He prepared their hearts for the imminent appearance of the long awaited Messiah. John claims he is unworthy even to untie the sandals of the coming King. He announces the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah (Isaiah 40:3-5). A way is made through the desert for the Lord to journey to his people’s aid. The breaking of ground creates a road that is straight, an unmistakable highway, level and smooth. The road ensures the certainty of the Messiah’s arrival for the people. The way has been prepared and Jesus comes.

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: A voice of one calling in the wilderness, prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. Matthew 3:1-6

John the Baptist came to prepare the way for Jesus to enter the hearts and lives of the people of Judea. His call continues to prepare people to receive Jesus – including me. John enters the empty, barren desert wilderness of my soul and calls my name. The kingdom of heaven has come near. Jesus is near. Near to me. I am told to repent. John wants to do some groundbreaking in my soul that will prepare the way for Jesus to come. Straight paths are made in the wilderness of my heart to welcome the savior of the world to transform me from the inside out. I join the people from Jerusalem, Judea and Jordan and draw near the banks of the flowing river. I confess my sins, repent of my ways, remember my baptism, and by God’s grace I am made new. I find a fresh start and new beginning through Jesus Christ my savior and Lord.

Ask: What does the Holy Spirit need to do to prepare the way for Jesus to come into my heart and life today? What do I need to confess before God and of what do I need to repent?

Pause and Pray

Come Holy Spirit, I invite you into the wilderness recesses of my soul. Reveal the sins I need to confess and call me to repentance. Lord, Jesus, I ask for your forgiveness. Wash me clean and turn what once was crimson to whiter than snow. Remind me of the nearness of your kingdom and your invitation to be a part of it. Prepare straight paths in my soul to make a way. I read the words from Matthew again and listen for the message you have for me today.

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: A voice of one calling in the wilderness, prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. Matthew 3:1-6

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

Every day I improve my spiritual listening. God speaks into my life and guides me in my particular circumstances. I repeat the word of phrase that stands out to me and plan to carry it throughout my day, reflecting on its possible significance for me. I consider the images in the scripture passage and try to imagine myself there, with the people, with John the Baptist. I see John’s camel hair garment, leather belt and am aware of his questionable diet. I hear his voice calling in the darkness of my soul. Convicting grace invites me to repentance alongside the people on the shores of the Jordan River. The kingdom of heaven has come near. Jesus the Messiah is here. I remember that I am a baptized child of God, sealed and marked for Jesus. The waters of the Jordan are my waters, poured over me by the grace of God through Jesus Christ, forgiving my sins, even mine.

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord Jesus, I invite you into my life today. Enter into my circumstances and do some groundbreaking in my heart. Infiltrate my wilderness places. I open the door to my longings, uncertainty, darkness and pain. Come, Lord Jesus, reveal yourself. Set things right. Walk beside me, live in me, and abide with me forevermore. Amen.

A voice of one calling: In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. Isaiah 40:3-5

As I leave this time of prayer and go throughout my day, I go with a heart prepared to receive Jesus and hands prepared to love and serve others in his name.

Amen