Christian corner #2: Lessons from the story of John the Baptist.

God's timing John's parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations Luke1v6NLT. However, they had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they both very old Luke1v7NLT. It is not necessarily true that if we are righteous before God, we will get what we want at the time we ask. God in his wisdom knows the right time. Isaac was born to Abraham and Sarah when they were hundred and ninety years old respectively. David was annointed king when we was around fifteen and only became king at thirty. #Lesson: Trust God's timing

Purpose Any invention that man has ever made was to fullfil a certain purpose. John's purpose was to be the forerunner of Jesus, preaching the gospel of repentance and drawing people to receive Jesus as the Messiah. Beyond our commitments to family, studies or careers, God has a purpose for all of us within our various spheres of influence. #Lesson: What is your purpose and are you fulfilling it?

Humility John drew large crowds through his preaching and baptised many. However, things changed when Jesus started his ministry. Many people who were flocking to John started going to Jesus until the disciples of John said to him "Rabbi, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you identified as the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going to him instead of coming to us.” John3v26NLT. In today's language, Jesus stole John's thunder. However, in responding, John was perfectly fine with Jesus' success and said the words "He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less" John3v30NLT. How often are we happy for others when their success eclipses ours? If we were to understand that our purpose is different and each has their own lane, we would realise that life is not a competition. #Lesson: Humility is power.

Times of trouble When John was arrested and put in prison, he probably expected some form of reaction from Jesus but Jesus said or did nothing. Maybe doubt could then have crept into John's mind because he sent his disciples to Jesus to ask “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” Matthew11v3NLT. It's puzzling that John would ask such a question especially considering what he said of Jesus when He came to be baptised by him "Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" John1v29bNLT and that he witnessed the spectacle of the Holy Spirit descending in the form of a dove and the voice that was heard from heaven. There are times when trials and tribulations shake our faith to the core and we need to judge each other less and pray for each other more. #Lesson: Acknowledging that we are all vulnerable helps us to pray for each other and seek God for strength.

Where is God? John was behead in prison. Jesus had the power to rescue him but he did not. Jesus could have visited him in prison but he did not. Jesus could have attended his funeral but he did not. The bible says "Later, John’s disciples came for his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus what had happened. As soon as Jesus heard the news, he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone." Matthew14v12,13NLT. There are times when we go through difficult seasons and we ask ourselves where God is. The answer is that God is always there for us, through the good and the bad. In his infinite wisdom, He reacts to our circumstances in the best way He sees fit. #Lesson: God is with us, always. Regardless of what we go through.

God's kind of success "I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John.." Luke7v28aNLT. Jesus said these words about John the Baptist. How can it be, among all the great bible characters, that John who lived such a short life, had his limelight taken away and died a cruel death is the greatest ever? Our definition of success and God's are often diametrically different. It is good to be educated, it is good to be rich, it is good to be famous and influential, but the question is, have we succeeded in God's purpose for our lives? #Lesson: We might not meet man's definition of success, it's ok, as long as we are regarded as successful in God's eyes, after all, it is all that matters.