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And he will prepare the way for the Lord. He will have the same spirit and power that Elijah had. He will bring peace between parents and their children. He will teach people who don’t obey to be wise and do what is right. In this way, he will prepare a people who are ready for the Lord. -Luke 1:17
These words from Luke’s account share part of the message the angel shared with Zechariah about his son, John and the special role he would have in preparing the way for Christ to live among us. I believe that John was the first of many who prepared a people to be ready for the Lord. Before John there were prophets that God called and since Christ’s death and resurrection, we continue to see people God calls to make space for the gospel in this world.
As we navigate significant shifts in the relationship between communities, individuals and churches we are noticing the paths where we have prepared the way and other paths where connection has been more difficult. This pandemic and the events over the past year and a half has caused many to go deeper into their life of faith, caused others to find other paths for connection and still others to question their beliefs.
I believe God calls each of us as believers to help prepare people who are ready for the Lord. What does that look like for you? Who has helped prepare a place for you in a church community? As our communities and church continue to transition into new ways of being, look for the places where God is calling you to open a door, walk alongside and help someone connect with the Lord.
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