As a progressive Christian, I believe there are many names for God and many ways to a loving God; this article reflects one of those ways. Take from here what works for you. Celebrate life with joy and peace!
In the New Testament of the Bible, it starts out with four Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Having four different Gospels is like having four different stations to watch football games (Go Badgers!) – It’s fascinating how they all cover the same events, but with different slants and emphases!
The Gospel of Mark starts with a bang! As the opening credits roll off the screen, there’s an explosion. John the Baptist explodes on the scene. He’s explicitly connected with the OT promises. He’s the one!
The prophets said there would be a messenger, who’d be in the desert, and the message would be “Get ready for the Promised One.”
Here’s John, in the desert, he’s definitely a rugged and furry wilderness guy, and his clothes and food attest to that. And he calls people to repent – to turn to God – a loving God who loves you unconditionally and says “Come just as you are.”
So, John “The Baptizer” is calling people to come out to the desert to be baptized with water, life-giving water, as a symbol of accepting God. And they do!
But John points to something bigger. One much greater is coming. “This One will baptize you not with water, but with a comforting Spirit.”
“Get ready!” “It’s a new day!” I believe in the power of change! I believe that love changes hearts! I have a sense of expectancy about God’s spirit moving in our lives and how, as we take our gifts and give them to God to be blessed and multiplied, God will bless us and others at the same time.
Yoko Ono said, “Remember, each one of us has the power to change the world. Just start thinking peace and the message will spread quicker than you think.”
And, Harriet Tubman, with all of the challenges in her life said, “Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”
Today, and every day, God is calling us to drink in the empowering, life-giving, spirit of God.
God is light, and this light brings life to us and shows us our path, shows us our way. And like water, God’s love is life-giving and sustaining. All we have to do is stay connected to God and the best way is through prayer and worship and giving to God our time, talent and treasure.
So, back to our lesson, there was a tremendous response to John’s message. Crowds gathered and people went out to the desert from everywhere. No sooner had the dust settled from this explosion in the desert than something else big happens. Suddenly, we’re introduced to our main character: Jesus.
Jesus, our example, obeys John’s call to come to the desert to prepare for a great future that will change the world forever. Something amazing happens when Jesus gets baptized.
Literally, all heaven breaks loose!
Jesus is baptized, God speaks, and the Spirit descends.
Here’s Jesus, the Son of God, the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit, humbly placing himself in relationship with Creator God. Jesus, once again, is being our example.
Now notice what happens when Jesus acknowledges this relationship. Jesus goes deep into the wilderness to affirm this relationship, to have it tested and strengthened. Here Jesus enters into conflict, struggles, storms and he wins! How did he win? Jesus won by speaking the powerful words of God.
If (and when) you find yourself deep in the wilderness experiences of your life, now, more than ever, you need to guard what you say and not allow any negative, destructive words to come out of your mouth.
I think we create an environment for either good or negative with our words, and you are going to live in that world you’ve created.
If you’re always complaining, and talking about how bad life is treating you, you’re going to live in a pretty miserable, depressing world. You may be tempted to use your words to describe negative situations, but God wants us to use our words to change our negative situations. Don’t just talk about the problem, talk about the solution.
I like what it says in the book, The Four Agreements:
Be impeccable with your word.
“Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.”
The Bible clearly tells us to speak to our mountains. Maybe your mountain is a sickness; perhaps your mountain is finances or a troubled relationship. Whatever your mountain is, you must do more than think about it, more than pray about it; you must speak to that obstacle.
In Proverbs 16:7, we read, “Give thanks with a grateful heart, and now let the weak say I’m strong. Let the oppressed say I’m free. Let the sick say I’m healed. Let the poor say I’m well off.”
“Stop talking to God about how big your mountains are, and start talking to your mountains about how big your God is!”
Let the living water of God’s spirit refresh and renew you.
