Daily Reflections ...

Our relationship with God is central to our vocation as Christians. Our identity and mission are built on that relationship. It is the cornerstone of everything we are and everything we do. In this final scripture text for our reflection resource, John’s relationship, identity and mission are described.

It begins by naming him as a ‘child’. The word ‘child’ is by its nature a relational word. It is meaningless without the relationship inherent to it. John, just like all of us, is first and foremost a child of God.

Next he is called a ‘prophet’ of the Most High. This is intrinsic to who he is. This is his identity. He knew it, loved it, and lived it out with zeal. He knew whose he was, and he knew who he was. From before he was born to the moment he died and for millennia beyond, John the Baptist is a Prophet of the Most High.

Thirdly is his mission to ‘go before the Lord to prepare his ways’. Often, as Christians, it can be easy to form our identity around what we do. Yet, what we do is nothing in comparison to who we are and, more importantly, whose we are.

God loves me for who I am, not for what I do. I show who I am by how I live. Understanding that the foundation of everything I do comes first from knowing who I am deserves thought and reflection.

The heart of the disciple knows God and knows who and whose it is. From there, mission flows forth in everything we say and do.

By David Kruse