In our modern world, we have many people telling us how to live our lives, politicians, social media influencers, celebrities, nutritionists, advertisers and many more. It can become overwhelming to know what foods we should or shouldn't be eating to improve our gut health or mental health or to save the planet. It can be overwhelming to keep up with the latest trends in fashion or must have tech. It can be overwhelming to see the 'ideal' life presented in the adverts or by influencers and feel that we can never achieve that level of 'perfection'.
For the people in New Testament times, they had the Romans and the system of local governors, they had the hierarchy of the priesthood and tribal genealogy and they had prophets. One of these was John the Baptist and he didn't have a complicated message, but a simple one, one of repentance and the forgiveness of sins, a message pointing to and preparing the way for Jesus' ministry.
Luke 3: 2b - 6 (NIV)
the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.
5 Every valley shall be filled in,
every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight,
the rough ways smooth.6 And all people will see God’s salvation.’”

John does not make life complicated, he makes the crooked paths straight and points the way to the salvation that comes through Jesus, a message for all people. The people recognised John the Baptist as a prophet because he lived in the wilderness and did not drink wine or fermented drink (Luke 1), but because of his message they were confused that he may be the messiah to teach such things, but John pointed them to the greater one who was coming; to Jesus the messiah.
Luke 3: 14 - 16 (NIV)
15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
We may not live in the wilderness, but we can be recognised as messengers of Jesus' love by our actions. Our lives can become a wilderness when focused on the wrong things or when weighed down with the worries of debt, mental or physical health problems, relationship breakdown and more, but as messengers of Jesus' love, we can be a voice calling in the wilderness for those who are struggling, we can help bring love and joy and light back into their lives and smooth their path with a hope for the future that is in Jesus.
Prayer

Please pray for our debt coaches and visit team, that they can be bearers of the light of Jesus' love for all our clients, bringing love and hope into their situations.
Please pray especially for K who was evicted yesterday, pray that the council can help him with temporary accommodation and for those working to progress his journey out of debt so that he can move on in his life.
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